Hey, already back! Thought I should go ahead and post this chap :)
Thank you lilyflower101 (yep, he will...) and Anonymous (Sirius is definitely not playing anymore lol)
Hope you all like it! Happy Sunday! :)
He was barefooted, and the wooden floors felt cold on his feet, but he did not care- he had to get to Aurelius.
"Leave him alone, don't…", he stopped abruptly when he realized that the scene in front of him was different than what he had anticipated- Gryffindor and Aurelius were sitting next to each other on the couch, and they were talking- and Aurelius did not seem afraid at all, he was smiling.
Oh nonono…
Gryffindor was looking at him now, raising an eyebrow, "Sirius…shouldn't you be in bed?"
Why do you care?
"I…I was and some noise woke me up", he answered stiffly, "and I wanted to make sure…that Aurelius is…okay."
"I am fine, Sirius", Aurelius was smiling at him now, "we are just…talking."
"Really? Cause you said you were fine before, and you weren't, so how do I know…"
"Come here", Aurelius held out one arm and Sirius immediately ran over to him and climbed on his lap, and he did not care at all that Gryffindor was watching him snuggling into Aurelius.
"I am fine, baby boy- so you can go back to bed and sleep some more. It's really late."
Sirius snuggled closer, "wanna stay…", he mumbled, "I…I am not tired anyways."
He did not see that Gryffindor and Aurelius exchanged a look above his head.
"Sirius- it is late and you need to go to bed", Gryffindor finally said calmly, "I have to talk to your brother for a little longer- privately."
Sirius looked up and glared at him, "you don't get to tell me what to do! I got you the cloak, so how about you do your part of the deal and transform me back!"
"Do you want me to transform you back?"
"Why does that matter, we had a deal, and I got the cloak for you!", he was angry now, "I did everything you wanted me to!"
You did not even say thank you- and that hurt.
"Yes- and you did such a good job- being such a good boy", Gryffindor said softly, which surprised him so much that he did not even know how to respond, "and I need to thank you for that- thank you, Sirius. I was going to talk to you tomorrow, but since you are not tired anyways…", he paused, "I also need to apologize to you. I am sorry, Sirius."
Sirius blinked, "uhm…wait…you're sorry? But I yelled at you and…called you names…"
"You did- but as it turned out, you were right about what you said- and you were right about how I treated Aurelius", he sounded remorseful, and Sirius blinked again.
Am I dreaming this?
"Okay…I mean…", he looked at Aurelius for guidance, "uhm…I can accept your apology?"
Aurelius hugged him closer, and that was all the comfort Sirius needed at that moment.
"Well, there is something else I need to apologize for", Gryffindor began carefully, "I lied to you, Sirius."
He swallowed, "so…let me guess- there's no spell to transform me back?"
"Well, there is- but the reason why I transformed you in the first place was not solely based on the fact that I wanted you to get me the cloak."
Sirius started to tremble, "then…why?", he asked, his voice hoarse, dreading the answer.
"I was hoping- well, Salazar and I were hoping- that when this would be over, that you would…like to stay with us", Gryffindor said softly, "and I am aware that I did nothing for you to actually want that right now- I…I became too obsessed with the plan, and I forgot to treat you like my little boy, and not someone working for me. And I am sorry for that."
Sirius felt the tears coming, but he ignored it, "you…you were really mean to me- I…I thought you hated me", he whispered, "and…all those times you…held me after the spankings- you told me that you care, and that I am your good boy- and…I was so confused…"
"I know", Gryffindor looked guilty now, "I know that must have been confusing- and I can only apologize and hope that you will think about the transformation again- I don't want to transform you back, Sirius- I want you to keep being my little boy- my bright star."
I want you to keep being my little boy.
"I…I can do that- and think about it", Sirius eventually said, not able to process any more thoughts, "I can stay and help Aurelius get the elder wand."
Aurelius chuckled softly, "I appreciate the help, baby boy, but Dumbledore is guarding that wand with everything he has- it is not easy."
"Yeah, but we have the cloak now", Sirius answered simply, "we can use the cloak to get the wand."
They were both staring at him now, and Sirius swallowed, "was that…not…good?"
"Not good- you are freakin brilliant, little brother!", Aurelius was laughing now, "I can't believe I never thought about that! Of course we can use the cloak!", he laughed even louder and then he pulled him into another hug, "good boy", he said quietly, his voice full of affection, "you are my smart baby boy, Sirius."
Sirius smiled broadly, snuggling into the hug, "really? So, I can stay and help? We have a week before the fake cloak disappears, right?"
"Less than a week- but yes, you can stay and help", Aurelius answered, stroking his hair, "but you will have to listen to me- Dumbledore is very suspicious already, one small mistake and the whole thing will blow up."
"I can listen to you!", Sirius promised excitedly, "and I will help you, you'll see, you will be so proud of me!"
Gryffindor and Aurelius exchanged another look, unseen by Sirius.
"I already am proud of you, Sirius", Aurelius finally said softly, "but it is late- and I need you to go to bed now."
"I could just sleep here, I'll be quiet, I won't say a word, I can even cover my ears and…"
"You are going to bed", Gryffindor interrupted him calmly, "come here, Sirius, I will tuck you in."
Sirius blinked, "Aurelius can tuck me in", he said with a hint of defiance in his voice, "he does that way better than you anyways- and he tells better stories, too!"
"And who do you think told Aurelius all of these stories?", Gryffindor asked him, sounding amused, "come over here, little star."
Sirius hesitated, but when Gryffindor warningly raised an eyebrow, he slowly got off Aurelius' lap and walked over, his bare feet touching the hard wood floor.
"Next time, you will put socks on- it is way too cold to walk around barefooted", Gryffindor informed him and easily picked him up, "now, say goodnight to your brother."
Sirius struggled, not used to being carried by Gryffindor, but when the Founder started to gently ruffle his hair, he calmed down, "night…Relius", he whispered, "love you…"
"Love you too, baby boy", Aurelius replied softly, and Sirius had to smile.
Gryffindor carried him next door, and tucked him in, and Sirius was watching him carefully, not saying a word.
I like this…
"Are you ready for your story, little star?", Gryffindor was smiling at him now, and Sirius blinked, his eyes already getting heavy, "you…think Aurelius will be mad if I like your story, too?", he asked quietly, "cause I don't want to hurt his feelings."
Gryffindor's smile got bigger, he understood.
"Aurelius is happy when you are happy- no matter what", he answered softly, "now, I want you to close your eyes and just listen to me…there you go, good boy…", and then he started to tell him a story- and it was just like Aurelius' story, but this was not Aurelius- it was Gryffindor who had taken him to bed, and Gryffindor who had told him it was time to sleep- and he knew that was somehow important, but he was too tired to think about it- and seconds later, he was asleep.
It was lunchtime, and just like every day before lunch, the nurses at the orphanage gave out the mail.
And just like every day he had been here; he got a letter- a letter from Godric Gryffindor.
Fucking bastard.
"Are you not going to read it?", a small boy named Michael who was sitting across the table asked timidly when he saw Tom crumpling the letter into a tiny ball, "what…"
"Mind your own damn business", Tom hissed at him, his voice so threatening that Michael shrank back.
He abruptly got up from the table, having lost his appetite.
Gryffindor really had some fucking nerve!
No one stopped him when he ran out, he knew that the teachers and the nurses were all at a loss at how to deal with him and his sudden outbursts, and the other boys had quickly learned to fear him- and left him alone, except that stupid little Michael kid who was just asking for getting punched by him at this point.
He stormed into the park, and found his favorite tree.
Minutes later, he was sitting on one of the branches high up in the tree, and he enjoyed feeling the wind on his face, even though the wind was chilly- it was nearly the end of September, and it got colder every day.
So far, he had ripped every single letter Gryffindor had sent apart- and this one, he would probably throw into the fireplace in the main hall later.
Salazar wrote him, too- asking him how he was doing, and telling him about the animals, especially Dash. He never mentioned Gryffindor, and that was one reason why his letters did not land in the trash right away, too.
The truth was, he missed Gryffindor- he missed him so much it hurt.
At the orphanage, no one seemed to care what he was doing, no one ever disciplined him, no one praised him, and no one ever told him that he was a good boy- and no one taught him things, and there were no bedtime stories, no working at the stable, no playing chess…it was just going to class in the morning, having lunch, and then free time and then study time, followed by dinner and free time to play again.
He did not care about playing with anyone- he just wanted his old life back, even if it meant that he would get caned or spanked or put in the corner- because this was just so much worse.
He sat on the tree until it got dark, and then he went straight to bed. He never joined the other boys in the playroom after dinner, but he was able to hear them laughing and shouting through the wall, so he angrily covered his ears with his hands.
Gryffindor is probably happy I am gone.
The dark thoughts always came at night, and he kept thinking about Gryffindor taking care of Dash without him, and Gryffindor playing with his sons…which was the hardest part, thinking that Gryffindor was giving all of his attention to someone else now.
Maybe he already forgot about me- and maybe Salazar is writing those letters for him.
And while Tom was laying in his bed, staring unhappily at the ceiling, the Founders were sitting in their living room, going through the mail.
"Anything from Tom?", Godric asked, just like he did every night, and Salazar sighed, "so far, I don't see…", he paused, "wait- there is a letter from him."
Gryffindor got up so hastily he almost spilled his tea, "really? I was hoping he would respond to my last letter, I…I told him that…you know, that I loved him", he actually blushed and Salazar had to smile, "you wrote him that? I thought you wanted him to figure that out on his own."
"I…I just…it's been almost a week…", Godric struggled with finding the right words, "and…it is hard…it's just…"
"You miss him, I know", Salazar's voice was soft, "I miss him, too- and now that he knows how you are feeling about him, maybe he is ready to come home."
"That would be amazing", Gryffindor said quietly, "even though he would come home at the same time the boys will- but we will figure that out."
"We will", Salazar agreed, "the letter is for me- he probably did not want to put both of our names down. Do you want me to read it to you?"
"Please."
Salazar smiled and carefully opened the letter, and then- he paled.
"Something wrong?"
"No…it's…it's just…", Salazar swallowed, "he might…not be ready to come home yet", he said carefully.
"What do you mean? What does he say?"
"Well, it says: This is Tom, just telling you to chill, I am fucking happy here, and just missing Dash. Hope Dash is ok. Classes are cool, no one gives a shit about homework, so I do nothing. There's a tree in the park that I can get to the top on. Give Dash some carrots from me, and green beans, too. Bye, Tom."
He held up the letter, "at least that is what I think it says- the handwriting is extremely messy", he squinted his eyes, "looks like there is a postscript- it says: And tell that bastard Gryffindor to leave me alone with his stupid letters, I won't read them."
He put the letter down, looking at his partner with sympathy, "I know this must be hard for you, and I am sorry…it looks like he just needs some more time…"
To his surprise, Gryffindor was smiling, "I don't think so- I can tell he misses me, and he is trying to get me to react to him- the messy handwriting, the cursing- he knows I don't tolerate that from him."
"Does that mean you are going to visit him?"
Gryffindor nodded, "since he is refusing to read my letters, it is probably best I tell him in person how much he means to me."
"I agree- and I have no doubt Tom is going to say it back to you."
For the first time in probably forever, Gryffindor looked vulnerable, "you…you really think so?", he sounded nervous- and scared.
Salazar came closer, and softly kissed his partner on the hair, "I have no doubt", he repeated quietly into Godric's ear, "Tom loves you- and he needs you. He needs his Daddy to take care of him."
"I need him, too", Godric admitted, his voice low, "I did not even realize how much I need my little Tommybear…and I want him back."
"Go see him tomorrow, and talk to him- and most importantly, be honest to him", Salazar suggested, "and I am sure it will all work out."
Gryffindor gave him a hopeful smile, "thank you. I am sure it will."
He took Salazar's advice and went to the orphanage the very next day. It was chilly that day, but the sun was out.
He entered the main hall, looking for Tom.
"May I help you?", one of the teachers came over to him, smiling a friendly smile.
"Yes, thank you. I am here to visit my boy- his name is Thomas. Do you know him?"
The teacher's friendly smile disappeared, and she laughed scornfully, "well, who does not know Thomas- he is by far the rudest, laziest, and most careless child I have ever met."
Gryffindor sighed, he had almost expected this, "I apologize. Do you know where I can find him?"
The teacher shrugged, "he does his own thing all day long- comes and goes whenever he pleases. He likes being outside in the park, even when it rains. We usually just let him be, it is a lot easier to deal with the class without him constantly interrupting."
Gryffindor did not bother to tell her that their methods were questionable to say it kindly- all he wanted was find his boy and take him home, "thank you for the information."
The teacher nodded curtly and walked off, and Gryffindor could only assume what had happened between her and Tom that had made her despise him so much.
He decided to check the park, remembering that his letter had said something about a tree.
The park was empty, which was no surprise- the weather had gotten from bad to ugly, but the sun was still out, so at least it was not too cold.
He did not have to search long- he found his boy in one of the biggest trees in the park, sitting on a high branch and tossing down some dead leaves down, not bothering to look up.
"Hey there, Tommybear", Gryffindor smiled when Tom's head immediately shot up.
For a second, he could clearly see the pure happiness in Tom's eyes, but then, his mask was back on, "what do you want, Gryffindor? Did you not get my letter?"
"I did- nice handwriting by the way", he was being sarcastic, "you are lucky I did not bring the cane along for that mess."
"You can't do shit to me anymore."
"Try me", he was still smiling, "now, are you coming down? I've got something for you."
"I don't need anything- I am perfectly happy."
"Happy with torturing the teachers? Happy with lazing around in class? Happy with having no friends here because everyone is scared of you?"
Tom grimaced, "what's it to you, Gryffindor? Just go back to your precious little family and leave me the hell alone."
You are part of my family, you stubborn little boy!
He did not say that though, even though he wanted to- but with Tom, he was strangely intimidated all of a sudden.
"Come down here", his voice was soft now, "or do I really need to come up to you?"
Tom snorted, "yeah, like you could."
He blinked in surprise when Gryffindor casually walked over to the tree and his eyes went wide with shock when Gryffindor actually started to slowly climb up the tree, just like he had never done anything else in his life.
"Hey there again", the Founder grinned at him while he sat down next to him on the huge branch, "underestimated me, hmm?"
Tom did not respond, he just bit his lips and kept staring at the sky.
They sat in silence for a while, until Tom could bear it no longer, "what did you get me?", he asked, forcing his voice to sound demanding.
Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, "is that how you ask nicely?"
Tom did not know why he suddenly felt like a weight was being lifted off his shoulders- maybe it was because this was what he knew- it was familiar, and safe, Gryffindor giving him boundaries, telling him what to do and when to stop.
"What if I ask nicely and your present sucks?"
Gryffindor had to laugh, glad to see that his boy had not changed at all, "trust me, you'll like it- and if you don't, you can ask me for another present, anything you want."
Tom was staring at him now, "anything I want?", he repeated quietly.
Then I want you to take me back.
"Anything that does not cost more than four Galleons", Gryffindor corrected, "I am not buying you a horse, Tom."
"I only want Dash anyways", Tom looked to the side and swallowed, "how…how is Dash?"
"He's missing you- just like we all are."
Yeah, right- you don't miss me, you're just here to satisfy your curiosity- or cause Salazar sent you.
There was another silence, and finally, Tom cleared his throat, "so…may I have my present, please?"
Gryffindor smiled at him, "good boy, Tommy", he said quietly, and his heart exploded at the words, and he felt warm…everything felt warm suddenly.
"Here you go, Tommybear."
He should tell him that his name was not Tommybear, and that it sounded childish, and silly, and stupid, but deep down, he liked it- he liked it a lot.
Gryffindor handed him a box which he had magically enlarged, and Tom carefully opened it, his whole face lighting up by what was inside.
Chocolate frogs!
There was at least a dozen of them, croaking and wiggling and jumping, and Tom hastily grabbed one and put him in his mouth.
They did not get candy at the orphanage, only for birthdays and on holidays, and while he was at Gryffindor Manor, he had not gotten much candy, too.
"Do you like them?", Gryffindor asked superfluously, an amused smile on his lips.
"Yeah, they're alright", Tom was smiling back, his mouth covered in chocolate, "you do have good ideas sometimes."
"Sometimes?", he challenged him, realizing how much he had missed the familiar banter between them, "which of my ideas was not good then?"
Bringing me here. Spanking me. Locking me up in that room and leaving me there.
Tom shrugged, pretending to be casual, "too many to count- making me eat those nasty green beans, I guess. I don't have to eat any vegetables here."
"Sounds healthy."
"Sounds like freedom to me."
Another silence, all they heard now was the wind.
Eventually, Gryffindor sighed, "Tommy…did you even think about what I said to you last time? Why I brought you here?"
"Yeah, I did", Tom grabbed another chocolate frog, "and you said you'll take me with you if I know the right answer."
"That's true", Gryffindor looked at him expectantly, "tell me, then- why are you here?"
He shrugged again, "there's many answers to that question- I am here cause you got sick of me, or cause Salazar told you to, or cause you found another project- or…", he paused.
"Or…what?", Gryffindor looked pained, but Tom ignored it, "or your sons are coming home and you had to get rid of me", he finished casually.
There was a flicker of something in Gryffindor's eyes, just for a second, but Tom saw it and everything inside him froze.
That's it. I was right, he needed to get rid of me…
He laughed, but it sounded everything but happy, "for real? God forbid your precious little darlings meet someone like me, right? They could become like me in the end, and that's probably your biggest nightmare."
"Tom…it's not like that, my boys are coming home, but that has nothing…"
"…has nothing to do with the fact that I am here now, sure", Tom finished bitterly, "whatever. I told you, I am happy here, so you can stop with your little visits and presents and letters to ease your conscience- I don't want any of it. Leave me the hell alone", his face had gotten hard, and Gryffindor swallowed, knowing that he had messed this up- again.
"You…should read my last letter if you still have it", his voice was quiet, "and maybe then you will understand."
"I understand perfectly fine already", Tom forced back the tears, "just…just go. And don't come here ever again."
"You know I can't promise you that- I miss you, Tommy…and I want you home."
"This is my home now."
Gryffindor was at a loss for words, which barely ever happened, "Tom…please…let me explain…"
"Thank you for your visit- I gotta go, it's getting cold", Tom angrily grabbed another chocolate frog who croaked in protest, "thanks for the chocolate."
He swung his leg easily across the branch, and before he knew it, he was back on the ground.
"Tom, wait, I…"
I love you, silly boy.
But Tom did not even turn around anymore, he ran off, tears streaming down his face.
I hate you, Gryffindor!
He stared after the running boy helplessly, feeling completely and utterly defeated.
This is all my fault.
Tired and drained, he climbed down the tree, and then he apparated back to Gryffindor Manor.
"You're back, finally!", Salazar came rushing towards him, an agitated look on his face, "I have some news for you, good news!"
Gryffindor blinked, "I could use some good news", he mumbled, "what happened?"
"I finally got a clue- a real clue this time- and I think I know who has it!"
Gryffindor stared at him in shock, "you…you mean you know who has the Resurrection Stone?"
They had been searching for months and months, and so far, every clue had ended in a dead end.
Salazar nodded, and smiled, "it turns out we were right in the beginning- the stone was in the possession of my family, and it was given to the last heir- my heir."
No. Please tell me this is a joke.
"Your…heir?", his voice sounding strange in his own ears, "but…not…it's not him, right?"
Please say it's not him.
Salazar looked at him like he had lost his mind, "of course it is him! Tom, our Tom. He either has the stone or knows where it is- I am pretty sure of that."
Godric stayed silent, and Salazar's confusion grew, "what is the matter? We have the cloak now, and the boys have a very good plan to get the elder wand this week, and Tom will help us get the stone, or give us the stone and then we…"
"He won't", Gryffindor interrupted him, his voice hollow, "he won't help us. I…I messed it up with him- I did not even get to tell him that I love him. It's…it's over."
yep...godric messed up again. next chap has more aurelius& sirius fluff, and godric and tom meet again...lol.
i'd love some feedback :)
xoxo,
antonie :)