A/N: There is a lot of stuff that happens in this chapter. I think everything will that happens had a reason to be in there and there was very little filler content. So enjoy! And please review, although the ones for the last chapter were awesome as always, I'd appreciate it if everyone who enjoyed the chapter, let me know how they think I'm doing. Thanks for everything guys...
Summer Time
One Month in
Sirius had been at his house for almost a month and had managed to not sustain any serious bruising. When Kreacher had brought he and Regulus home, (Sirius apparating and Regulus holding on to Kreacher), the two boys had been greeted very differently.
Arcturus Black had patted Regulus on the shoulder and his mother had briefly hugged him before allowing him to go to the dinner table and start eating. Sirius however got the reaction he had expected.
"So, you're back boy?" his father had said grimly.
"Uncle Alfred said he'd be here" Sirius said lazily leaning on a fine elfin made table in the living room.
"Get off the furniture!" his mother screeched almost making him jump. He held it together and stood up with a shrug.
"Ungrateful brat!" she had spat.
"Why did you imagine we'd want you here?" his father sneered.
"Well I imagine you want me here as little as I want to be here. But don't worry, when Uncle Alfred comes in a week, I'll be out of your precious hair."
His parents stared at him before turning to each other and sharing a look.
"Fine" his father said curtly. "You will get meals and that is all and the second you meet with Alfred, you will leave and go back to that hellhole you went to last time." With that, his father spun on his heel and went to the dining table, his sleek, long, black hair flowing behind him.
"Believe me…I had wished it was the last time I was here…" Sirius has muttered.
"Don't think that because we are letting you stay we intend to be kind…Regulus told us of the mudblood you are involved with" His mother looked absolutely ugly and her beautiful features and long golden hair could do nothing to hide the hideous expression she wore on her face.
"Oh mother, don't say such words, your face will stick like that…" Sirius said nonchalantly before starting towards the kitchen.
"Crucio!" she yelled in anger and Sirius crumpled to the floor. Everytime, he forgot how much it hurt. Everytime, all the other pain was brought back tenfold.
"Get up!" she hissed. "I hate to admit it, but while I may have burned you from our tree, you are clearly our flesh and blood. Even if it is only our looks, you may have inherited…"
Sirius got to his feet and met her glare with an icy, unfeeling look of his own. "You burned me off the tree?"
"Indeed, and I was proud to do so…"
"I must OWL Andromeda, she'll be ever so pleased…" Sirius said before holding up a shield charm before his mother could hit him with an Unforgivable again.
"Well…atleast you have learnt something…" she conceded before going into the kitchen to join the family.
Sirius begrudgingly followed her, hungry as ever, but dreading the insults he was sure to receive throughout dinner. Occasionally, he could see that Regulus looked uncomfortable. His brother had always looked up to him, but as soon as he got to Hogwarts and was placed in Gryffindor, life at home changed. He and Regulus had always been punished severely for any misbehaviour, but when Sirius returned from Hogwarts after his first year, there was no stopping his parents. He had always been the Black sheep and now they had a reason to really get angry. Regulus had cared back then and had once even told Sirius that he wanted to be in Gryffindor just like his big brother. The trouble was, when he did come to Hogwarts, he wasn't. He was in Slytherin and everything was better for him at home than it would ever be for Sirius. But he didn't care anymore, he'd grown accustomed to the torture and the emotional beat downs. This was the one thing they could've been proud of: Sirius' lack of feeling. The problem was, Sirius loved his friends. They were his real family now.
Lily was tired of Petunia. Everyday, she had to endure her constant jabbering at the dinner table about Vernon Dursley. Lily had always thought he looked like a pig. A horse and a pig having a baby, Lily shuddered at the thought. Petunia saved her usual chosen words for Lily.
"So, freak" she spat, "How is your love life?"
"Tunie! Lily in fact is being chased by several boys…" he mother spoke up, gushing.
"I can't imagine why.." Petunia said under her breath. "Who? James Potter?"
Lily was surprised and was sort of happy to know that Petunia had still paid some attention to her life. "Well…no, I'm actually dating his best friend, Sirius Black…"
"Sounds like a murderer…" Petunia said.
"He's really nice Tunie.."
"Well what about this Potter then?" Petunia asked, trying to sound uninterested but dying for the gossip at the same time.
"Well he's just a friend now I suppose…I can't really stand him" Lily said, knowing she was lying.
"Oh come now dear, James Potter seemed like a charming boy!" Her father commented.
"Well yes he's very charming, which is why he makes a better friend…"
"Love, your boyfriend Sirius just didn't seem to care much about anything…"
"Well that's sort of a front he puts up.." Lily argued.
"He hasn't even visited you….you're like the freaks of all freaks!!" Petunia sang.
"Petunia Evans, you go to your room!"
"I'm seventeen mother! I can do what I want, and I'm going to Vernon's"
"Heavens…" her father muttered covering his eyes to rub his temples.
"Sirius is great…he's just had a lot to deal with, he'll come and visit and meet you all properly I swear!!" Lily exclaimed to anyone who was still listening.
"Of course dear…" Mrs Evans said absently clearing away her half full plate.
Lily was upset. A month had passed and Sirius had only sent her two short letters. From the first, she knew that Uncle Alfred had postponed his trip and he was stuck at Grimmauld Place for longer than he expected. She also knew he was miserable. The second was a short reply to one of the ten page letters she'd sent him. It said,
"Thanks for your letter love. I wouldn't send anymore though. Mother says she'll curse the living daylights out of me if I get any more mail. I've been getting so many from you and the guys. I'd like to believe it's an empty threat, but I'd rather not take my chances. It's a real laugh here at home sweet home. Anyway, will send word when I can visit. I hope you're having a better Summer so far than I am, tell that Petunia off for me. – S
P.S: Do us a favor and write James. I expect he's lonely without me and Remus and Pete haven't had a chance to visit yet."
So Lily had written James. Only a short one, but she wanted to make sure he was as worried about Sirius as she was. But that had been a week ago and there was still no reply from him either.
It was about midnight when she heard the tapping on her window. She wasn't sure what to make of it but hoped it might be an Owl, so she rushed to the sill and threw it open, only to see a very windswept James hovering next to her windowsill smiling his dashing smile.
"Hello Flower.."
"JAMES!" She hissed, pulling her sweater tight around her. "What are you doing here? Are you crazy? Are you completely reckless and insane?"
James looked at her blankly. "No, I'm just worried about my best mate. He sent me a letter saying Alfred had told him that he was leaving an incredibly large inheritance to him, and then his father asked to have a word with him. Sirius was about to go down and check on his uncle when he sent me this."
"He's sent you letters a lot?"
"Yeah but only to me. He asked everyone else to stop writing."
"Yeah, I figured" Lily said with a downcast face. "But anyway, that doesn't explain why you're outside my window on your broomstick!"
"Well, isn't that obvious? I'm going to go pick him up. I've heard stories about his parents when they're angry, and I'd rather I still had a best mate in the morning."
"Oh…well let me know…how it goes, won't you?" Lily asked, her emerald eyes wide as she looked at James worriedly.
He couldn't say anything for a few seconds, completely mesmerized by those eyes. Finally he spoke. "Well, I'm here because I figured you'd want to come along."
Lily looked ecstatic before her face fell again. "But my parents…"
"I'll have you back by the morning" James said with a smile, "Promise."
"Ok…how are we getting there?" Lily said thrilled at the idea of seeing Sirius again.
James looked at his broom. "Isn't that obvious too Evans?"
"Oh bugger" she said climbing on to the sill and sitting on the broom in front of James who placed protective arms around her. She wasn't sure why but she could feel her face a little warm. Probably at the awkward situation. James then pulled his Invisibility Cloak over both of them and flew off into the night.
The full moon had just passed and Remus was relieved. He hadn't seen his friends in a month and although he was happy to be with his parents, he wished he could've seen them sooner. He was worried about everyone. Sirius; probably being punished brutally at home, James; obviously stressing for his friend's life and Peter, well Peter for probably failing his Sixth Year Exams.
He sat in his room, wondering when he would get word from his friends. As if on queue, the Potter family Owl flew in through his window.
"Getting Sirius. Be at my house at Noon tomorrow. Tell Wormy. – J"
Remus immediately started packing. Once he had gotten his stuff together he sent Peter an Owl to Peter, passing on the message. He then got into bed and slept, knowing his parents would be happy he was finally getting out of the house and having some fun tomorrow.
Peter received Remus' Owl but slept heavily through it. When he woke up, he would be so excited, he would pee his pants. He wouldn't tell anyone though.
Sirius was lying on his bed, within a thread of his life. He was so angry. Not only had he received the Cruciatius curse a total of twelve times from his parents a few minutes ago, his favorite Uncle was also dead. He had walked in to the living room moments after sending James an Owl and had found his Uncle spread-eagled on the floor, with his father preparing to Vanish the body.
"What the fuck did you do!?" Sirius yelled unable to hold up his trained politeness with his parents.
"Don't you speak to me like that. Your dirty Uncle gave you the money to leave, so why are you still here? I want you out by the morning, or I'll kill you myself! Crucio!" His father stunned him with the curse, more powerful and painful than his mother. Sirius writhed on the floor until it was over and stumbled his way up.
"Why are you doing this? I'm your son! YOUR SON!" Sirius said, for the first time pleading with his parents. He just couldn't understand how they could hate him so much. What he had done which was so wrong. After being hit repeatedly by the curse, and enduring his parents laughter, he stumbled upstairs as fast as he could. Regulus saw him on the stairs and for a moment, Sirius caught a glimmer of the child who used to look up to him.
"You deserve it. Blood traitor" Regulus finally spat before rushing upstairs and locking himself in his room.
Sirius could do nothing but enter his room, put the most powerful locking curse he knew on the door and wait. Wait, to recuperate. Wait for James. Because he knew he'd come. And then he wouldn't have to deal with this anymore.
Lily was shivering. They were flying rapidly through the night air from Surrey to London within the hour. James was holding her tight and she was grateful for the warmth. She kept reminding herself that she would be seeing Sirius soon and all of this awkwardness with James wouldn't matter.
"Alright Flower? You seem cold…" James said conversationally.
"Potter. I think me and Sirius would really rather you didn't call me Flower. Are we there yet?" she answered, feeling guilty for her own impatience.
James fell silent. After a few moments he said, "We'll be there in about ten minutes, Lily" Then without another word he cast a warming spell on her and she could feel her fingers again.
"Thanks.." she mumbled.
James said nothing.
Emma was sitting at her desk trying to write a letter. She wondered if Lily had gotten it yet. Carly's dad hadn't lived. He was dead and Carly didn't know what to do. He had held on for dear life for close to a month, but then there was nothing to be done.
"I'm not sure if I will be back at Hogwarts…' Carly had ended the tear-stained note addressed to both Emma and Lily.
Emma didn't know what to do either. She felt horrible for ever being sad that Remus hadn't replied to the one letter she had sent him. Carly would never receive another letter from her dad. She might never even come back to Hogwarts. This war was finally becoming real in their heads. It wasn't just something they read about in the Daily Prophet, it was now something that had directly affected one of their friends. Emma supposed she ought to write to one of the Marauders. They should know so they could offer their condolences to Carly and maybe even say goodbye. She took a deep breath to hold back the tears and wrote what she hoped was a supportive letter to her friend and an informative one to Remus. After sending both, she settled in her bed and tried to sleep. It was hard when all the images that popped into her head were ones of death.
"This is his road…" James said as they flew close to the ground. They landed softly next to a bench and a street-lamp but hid in the nearby darkness before James pulled out a piece of parchment and began to scrawl on it.
"Why aren't we knocking?" Lily whispered to him.
"Because the Blacks hide their house with about a million protective spells. They want to keep as far away from Muggles as possible. Sirius will need to know we're here, so he can meet us"
"How will we all get back?" Lily asked.
"Sirius and I will apparate back to my house and then one of us will come back for you so we can take you home."
"Can I come? I don't want to wait here…' Lily asked quietly.
James nodded. "You don't have your apparition test though right?"
"Yeah…how did you know?" Lily asked thinking about how he'd known to pick her up via broomstick instead of apparating.
James shrugged. "I'm observant" he said before summoning a barn owl perched on the street lamp. Lily wondered how he knew it was a Wizarding Owl but didn't ask. She tried not to sound like she was clueless of much in the Wizarding world. Her blood made her stand out enough.
James noticed her expression as he tied the parchment to the Owl's leg. He seemed to understand immediately. "Wizarding Owls have special markings. Not a lot of people know that, but my father used to work for the Post Office when he was young…" he explained, not making her feel ignorant or sounding cocky at all.
"Oh.."
They waited in silence for Sirius' reply.
Finally the Owl returned and stuck its leg out. James hastily pulled the piece of parchment off and unrolled it.
"Well mate, honestly, I'm pretty weak right now. Apparating outside will be difficult. I'll take my chances with the front door. Do us a favor and make sure they don't kill me on my way out won't you? – S"
The note was scrawled very messily and Lily could barely make all of it out. When she did, she gasped and looked at James who was grim. Neither of them laughed at Sirius' dark humour.
"I reckon we have about five minutes…you're better at Charms…you'll have to help me" James said in a commanding voice.
"Of course!" she said pulling out her wand and aiming it at the street.
Within a few minutes a house appeared from between two Muggle houses and a ragged Sirius stumbled down the steps. He seemed to be ok as he staggered towards them but then he was suddenly writhing on the floor and Lily heard cackling laughter from a woman. A man's voice yelled, "Don't even think about coming back here boy! Cr-"
James acted quickly and sent a shield charm behind Sirius so the curses would not hit him. It wasn't terribly strong however and James seemed to be straining to keep it up. Lily immediately jumped in with one of her own and this time is was strong enough so Sirius could pull himself over to the benches they hid behind.
"Nasty boy…I expect his blood traitor friends are helping him," the woman's voice said.
"I expect so…let's go inside, he has always been a waste of our time" The male said, and then the door slammed.
Sirius lay panting beside them with a manic grin on his face. "Well, what hospitality my dear parents show…" he then erupted into laughter and patted James on the shoulder. "Thanks mate, I knew you'd come."
He then turned to Lily and his face changed. "How come you're here?"
Lily was almost crying as she looked at him. "I wanted to make sure you were ok! James brought me."
"Prongs…always thinking. I didn't want you to see me like this Lils…"
"Oh Sirius…who else?" Lily cried putting her arms around his bruised body.
"I'm glad you came…" he whispered into her hair.
James interjected apologetically. "Look its late, we should get back to mine. I'll have to apparate all of us there…" he looked a little nervous as he said this.
"Are you sure you won't splinch us?" Lily asked concernedly, "you have to bring your broomstick too…"
James looked suddenly very worried.
"I know he can do it" Sirius broke in.
James immediately seemed to gain confidence and said, "Oh come on Evans, just because some people have low self esteem…doesn't mean we all have to!!"
"Potter! You are so big-hea-"
"Nice to see nothings changed" Sirius chuckled making them both smile. "Now, take me home, I want Mama Potter".
James nodded and put his arms around both of them and soon they were whirling away and were in the Potter's kitchen.
Three Weeks Later
"I can't believe Carly isn't coming back…" Remus said as Sirius delivered the news. He had just been to see Lily as he did every few days, since arriving at James'. He went on his flying motorcycle to see the girls and the newest development was that their sweet, little friend, Carly would not be returning to Hogwarts. She had to help her mother support the family of four children and would not be able to finish school to do it.
"You're telling me! She's a wreck, but she sends her love…" Sirius said as he collapsed on to the bed in the room he and James both shared. There were two comfortable sleeping bags also on the floor where Remus and Peter had been camped out for the past few weeks."
"How are Lily and Emma taking it?" James spoke up.
"They're a little distressed. Poor Lily, she keeps saying that all these terrible things are happening to her friends and she feels completely helpless….that girl…she's a bloody prize she is…" Sirius said kicking his feet up and smiling to himself. No one had really mentioned Sirius' stay at home, other than the fact that his Uncle, who was now dead had left him an inheritance which he was to spend on a flat for when he left school. James was excited because he knew he and Padfoot would be rooming together and it meant that paying rent would be a little easier while he was going through Auror training.
"Wow Sirius…I daresay you're in love with this girl!" Peter said happily.
Remus immediately shot James a look, but his face was unreadable. Sirius laughed. "Who knows? She's the greatest girl I've ever known…it's like she's one of you guys, but so much prettier…"
James laughed with the others. He was starting to get used to the idea of Sirius and Lily together, but it didn't mean his feelings for Lily had gone away at all. In fact, not seeing her for almost the whole summer and having to hear Sirius talk about seeing her every few days was rather bothersome to him. He had almost forgotten that he himself was still dating Lindsey, who had sent him a few very angry OWL's asking about his whereabouts. He had sent back an extensive apology, but was pretty sure he was going to end it as soon as they returned to school. He couldn't believe she was still insistent upon dating him. They hadn't even seen each other except for once in the whole summer. The fact that James barely remembered this but could remember every detail of the few hours he spent with Lily on their way to Sirius' was a sign that he just wasn't over her. He'd need to find someone who rivaled Lily's wit and charm and intelligence, not just her beauty if he stood a chance in hell of falling out of love with her. Because that's what it was he had decided. He was in love with his best friend's girlfriend. The funny thing was, he just never for a second believed that she was totally out of his reach. Not because he was better than Sirius, but because for some reason he had complete blind faith in Lily Evans.
"Hogwarts Letters today…" Remus said nonchalantly.
"Moony…I'm surprised you're not peeing your pants waiting for the Head Boy announcement…" Sirius said with a laugh.
"I might not get it…" Remus said seriously.
"Oh whatever Moony….you're the coolest prefect we know. And top in our year" Peter said.
"Did Lily get a letter yet?" James asked Sirius.
"No, I suppose they all come at the same time. I suppose Head Girl will be a good pick up though. She's really upset lately. Atleast Emma's gone and found herself a boyfriend to cheer her up!" Sirius laughed. "Amos Diggory…what a tool".
"She's dating Diggory?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, she's really happy since she got over your hairy ass!" Peter said making them laugh.
"Ew Pete."
"Let's leave Remus' furry little problem out of his sex life alright? Speaking of mate, you have to go home soon don't you?" James said.
"Yeah, But I'll be able to meet you guys at Diagon Alley to get our books and stuff".
"Brilliant!" Sirius cheered. "The girls are coming too. So we can say a proper bye to Carly."
"Good!!" James said relieved, "I was worried, I'd never see her again.."
The four boys contemplated this and how the war had finally hit close to home when suddenly four Hogwarts Barn Owl's appeared outside James' window.
"Letters!!" Peter exclaimed with fright.
"It's ok mate, you'll have passed…" Sirius said not convincingly. He walked to the window and let the Owls in and gave them water. He then untied the letters and tossed them up in down in his hands.
"Heavy ones for Prongs and Moony. Thick one for Wormtail and Normal one for Me" he assessed before tossing them each their letters.
Remus felt the envelope in his hands, his heart racing.
James ignored his letter, too busy eating the chocolates his mother had brought up. He was tossing them in the air and catching them in his mouth, not missing one.
Sirius dropped his own letter on the bed next to James' and picked up a chocolate frog of his own.
Peter tore open the letter and scanned the first sheet quickly, then collapsed on Sirius' bed. "I passed!! But I have to take remedial Potions and Transfiguration!!"
Sirius stifled a laugh. "That's great Petey." He opened his letter and said boredly, "Only six new books boys…blimey, our backs will break at this rate!"
Remus finally opened his letter and smiled soberly.
"Get it Remus?" Sirius asked with a grin.
"No, just the same prefect badge as always" Remus said understandingly. "Oh well…"
"No way!!' Sirius and Peter exclaimed.
"It's not surprising. My furry little problem would make it difficult. Everyone would want to know where the Head Boy disappeared to every month. It's ok."
"That's so unfair. I wonder which prick got it. I hope it wasn't Lestrange!!" James said angrily as he opened his letter, took out a badge of his own and tossed it on the bed before getting up to send the Owls on their way.
"Lestrange, ugh that idiot. My cousin Bella and he are getting married when she gets out of Hogwarts."
"Is she the same age as Regulus?" James asked. Remus picked up James' badge and his jaw dropped. No one noticed, however.
"Yeah, and Narcissa is in third year. Bloody Blacks will be around Hogwarts, way too long."
"Is Narcissa that beautiful blonde?" Peter asked.
"Pete! That's disgusting. She looks like she has a bad smell under her nose all the time!" James said laughing.
"Yeah, they're all beautiful if they weren't such bloody sneering gits…I mean look at me, I smile and the world lights up" Sirius joked.
"Whatever mate" James said throwing a book at him. Sirius laughed and lobbed it back.
Remus cleared his throat. "Uh…Prongs.."
"What's up Moony?" James said laughing and grabbing Sirius in a headlock.
"What's your badge for?"
"Quidditch captain I suppose. Wood left Hogwarts last year"
"Did you look at it?" Remus asked slowly before holding it towards James. James took it with a puzzled look and glanced down and saw the gleaming Head Boy badge in his hand.
"What…?"
Sirius and Peter leaned over and saw the badge too. Peter gasped and looked at Remus as if he was offended. Remus looked very amused on the contrary and actually very happy for his friend. Sirius burst out laughing.
"HE DIDN'T. HAS DUMBLEDORE FINALLY GONE OFF HIS ROCKER??"
"It can't be….it must be a joke…" James said through nervous laughter.
"Looks legitimate to me James" Remus said with a smile.
"But…."
"Oh my Merlin!" Sirius said suddenly looking shocked and a little angry. "I am writing to Dumbly right now!!"
Suddenly Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix flew through the window and dropped a letter into James' hands before taking off again.
James looked at it and quickly unrolled the scroll:
James,
I imagine, you have failed to read the letter in which I stated that I have chosen you to be Head Boy. I have reason to believe this because I have yet to receive a complaint from Sirius Black or a letter asking if it was a mistake from you. I want to ensure you however, while many might not understand my choice, given your history of havoc and detentions, I truly believe there is no other student for the job. Remus Lupin a close second, but I assume he already knows why he, unfortunately, couldn't be an option. As per our conversation at the end of the year, I hope that you too realize that Hogwarts needs and values people of your character James, and I sincerely hope I will not regret my decision.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
"What!!" Sirius asked reading over his shoulder.
The others read it as James sat on a chair looking rather stunned. "Well lads…I guess no more detentions for Seventh Year…"
"Damn it Dumbledore!" Sirius exclaimed again. "What conversation did he mean?"
James thought for a moment. "Oh I suppose there was the conversation after our last exam. I thought I was getting in trouble, but he just asked me a bunch of questions about my plans for the future, what I thought about the war, what was most important to me…"
"Of course!" Remus said with a laugh, "It was like an interview and you didn't even know it."
"That Dumbledore is tricky. I have two minds to send him a letter complaining for real!" Sirius exclaimed. "My best friend and girlfriend, Head students…I'll have no fun at all!!"
A/N: Longggggg. I deserve some reviews for that don't I? :) Anyway, I decided not to write about the goodbye with Carly, I mention it in the next chapter, but it seemed like it would be a lot of emotion for a character which I spent, honestly little time developing. Hope any Carly fans aren't mad!! Anyway, cheers: Seventh Year starts next.