As always a huge thank you to Ambush99 for her amazing betaing skills!

Another chapter, and I've written a load more of Secret Keeper. Stay tuned!

Chapter 14

Professor Collins made his way down the corridor towards the hall. He didn't regret the conversation he had had with Minvera, just the tone with which it had taken place. But he had been frustrated. The older Black child drove him up the wall at times, as he seemed to be content with idling along in neutral, seemingly lacking the motivation to challenge himself. He had thought it had been the case in today's lesson, only to find he couldn't have been further from the truth. What had Dumbledore been thinking when he had thought it best not to disclose Sirius' condition to the staff? He knew the man was an enigma at times, but this was not war related. This was a sixteen year old boy's life they were talking about. Forcing the boy to attend classes, when it was obvious he wasn't well enough to, was cruel. Not disclosing the boy's condition to the teaching body, so they would treat him as though he was healthy, was almost barbaric.

He found himself frowning when he saw the boy in question was walking towards him, supported by his best friend. Not wanting to make the same mistake twice, he eyed the boy carefully. Sirius appeared pale and unsteady on his feet; it almost looked as though he was in shock. "Mr. Black," he called out.

Sirius felt his breath catch in his throat, as he looked wildly around. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Mate, it's okay, your dad's not here. Professor Collins is asking about you."

Professor Collins found himself frowning at the boy's reaction. The poor child looked utterly terrified and broken. "Sirius," he tried again. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"Professor, I'm, I'm sorry…"

"Sirius, you have nothing to be sorry for, it's me who should be apologising."

"But-"

"Sirius, you're not in any trouble and I've cancelled your detention. I was wrong to give it to you. I didn't realise you were ill."

"Professor, I'm okay," Sirius replied, as he attempted a smile.

"Sirius, it's obvious you're not. And don't worry about those essays you haven't handed in or your grades this term. We will sort them out."

Sirius stood there, at a loss of what to do. Part of him was relieved that people knew, and that he was trying. He knew he had a reputation as a troublemaker, but he did actually want to learn. The other part of him was terrified. What had Professor Collins been told? Did he think he was weak and pathetic, as he had so regularly been told? "Thank you," was all he could manage in the end.

"And we'll sort the rest of your lessons out as well."

"I guess I'll have to, well, I'm probably too far behind to take my OWLs this year," Sirius said quietly.

"Sirius, with a bit of effort you could have got an O in your third year. You'll get an O in your OWLs, no problem. Once this is all over, and you're feeling up to it, I'll coach you for your NEWTs. I reckon we can get you an O this time next year."

"Thank you," Sirius replied quietly, as he looked down and away, avoiding eye contact.

"Is there anything you need?"

"No thank you," Sirius said in a near whisper, wondering how much longer his resolve would hold up. He felt numb. Drained of everything. Drained of life. Drained of his spirit. The only thing he felt now was broken. They had tried to break him, and they had finally succeeded.

"Professor, actually there is something," James said jumping in for the first time.

"Yes Mr Potter?"

"Is your fireplace connected to the floo network? Just, Sirius and I need to make a call to my dad. He's a lawyer you see," James quickly added seeing confusion cross the professor's face.

"Of course," Professor Collins replied. "Follow me."

"James," Sirius started weakly.

"Padfoot, it's going to be alright. Dad will believe you. Professor Collins likes you, he's going to personally tutor you for NEWTs so you can do it a year early. I know if you told him what happened, he'd believe you and he would help you."

"But.."

"Dad can tell you your legal options."

"How's that going to help? They'll never let me go! Only on death will they let me go," Sirius replied in a lost, defeated voice.

"That's why we are going to talk to my dad. He'll find a way so you can leave them now! He'll find a way you'll never have to see them again. He'll make sure they can never hurt you again. I'm not going to let them kill you!" James said fiercely, as he guided his friend through the corridors.

"But James, they are powerful. You don't realise the power they wield!"

"So is my dad! Mate, we're not going to let you go without a huge fight. I don't think you realise how much you mean to my parents."

"James-"

"No Padfoot."

"Prongs, please. I, I don't know, but…"

"You're scared, I get that."

"Do you Prongs?!" Sirius hissed. "Do you really?!"

"No I don't," James replied simply, not knowing what else to say. "My parents love me. My family loves me. They never laid a finger on me, so I guess I don't really understand. But my dad will help you."

Professor Collins slowed slightly and watched the two boys for a moment as they approached his office. How could he not have seen it before? Sirius looked dead on his feet, Potter seemingly holding him up. He knew Potter would have supported his friend regardless, but for him to do it alone put way too much pressure on the fifteen year old. He was going to have serious words with Dumbledore when he was done here. "Tutankhamun," he said, as he got to his office door. "I'll be just outside if you need anything," he said standing aside to let the boys in.

"Thanks."

"Thank you," Sirius said quietly, as he followed his friend into the professor's office. Apprehension began to build inside of him. The room swam in and out of focus. He couldn't. He couldn't tell, he'd already said too much. He knew his parents wouldn't hesitate to carry out their threats. He knew he was dying, he questioned if he had more than a few weeks left in him. So what was the point in telling someone? As soon as he died, Reg would be heir to the Black title and his life would just be an ill memory and a burn on a tapestry.

"Sirius mate, sit down okay? I'm going to call dad."

"James," Sirius said quietly as he sank down onto a battered but comfortable leather sofa.

"No Sirius, this has gone too far. I thought the teachers would do something, but they haven't. I know your parents threatened you, I'm guessing they threatened me as well," James started. He watched his friend look away and took it as confirmation. "But it doesn't mean you don't deserve to live, because you do. You didn't do anything wrong."

"James," Sirius started in a shaky voice, all resolve crumbling around him. "I'm, I'm scared."

"I know, me too. I don't know what to do. That's why we need to talk to my dad," James said, as he quietly sat next to his friend, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

"Okay," Sirius replied in a near whisper.

"Are you sure?" James watched Sirius nod. "Okay," he said as he stood and walked towards the fire, carefully eyeing his friend's fragile and defeated form. He had let it go on for too long, but he hadn't known what to do. Where was Dumbledore in all of this? Why had it fallen to him? Taking a handful of powder, he threw it into the fire, watching it glow green for a moment before sticking his head into the fire. "Fleamont Potter, law offices!"

Fleamont Potter was surprised to say the least when his son's head appeared in his fireplace. Putting down the parchment he was reading, he quickly strode over to the fireplace. "James?! Is everything okay?"

"Umm, no it's not," James managed, struggling to keep it together.

"What's the matter? What happened? Are you okay?" Fleamont demanded frantically.

"I'm, I'm, dad I'm fine. It's Sirius, he needs your help."

Fleamont exhaled slowly, part of him relieved his son was unharmed, the other part feeling sick. Sirius may not be his blood, but he considered the boy a son. His assumptions had been correct, the boy was in danger. Taking a calming breath, he pressed on. "Where are you, James? Is Sirius with you? Are you both safe?"

"We're at Hogwarts and Sirius is with me, and I think I'm safe but Sirius isn't," James managed, barely biting back the tears. "Dad, I need you. I really need you, please help us."

"Of course, when do you want to meet? You've got a Hogsmeade weekend soon."

"No dad, we need you now!"

"Okay, okay James it's going to be alright," Fleamont tried to reassure his panicking son. Apprehension grew. What the hell was going on at that school? His son wasn't messing around, there was real fear and stress in his voice. Where the hell were the teachers?! "Where are you?"

"Professor Collins office. He's the Ancient Runes teacher."

"Is it okay if I step through the fire place?"

James turned slowly and took a moment to observe his friend, who now sat shaking, his knees draw tight to his chest. "Yeah, it's okay," he replied. "It's just me and Sirius."

Fleamont Potter brushed the soot off his robes, as he stepped calmly out of the fireplace. He tried to take a moment to take in the situation before him. His son looked tired, pale and strained. Sirius looked, well, like death warmed up. "James, are you okay?"

"I'm fine dad," James said, as he straightened up and forced on a strong face. "It's Sirius you need to help."

Fleamont nodded, not believing his son for a moment. "I will, but I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine dad, I promise. Just worried about Sirius, that's all."

"If you're sure."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Sirius," Fleamont said gently as he crouched down in front of the boy. He waited a moment for him to respond. Curled tightly into himself, shaking, Sirius made no response to indicate he had heard him. "Sirius, it's Fleamont Potter, James' dad. Are you okay? Do you need someone to get Madam Pomfrey?" Still no indication the boy had heard, or even noticed he was there. He wondered if Sirius was shaking through cold, shock or fear, or maybe it was a combination of everything. "Sirius, I'm going to put my cloak around your shoulders, okay? You just look a little cold." Getting no response, he slowly slipped off his cloak and gently draped it over the boy's trembling shoulders.

Feeling something touch his shoulders, Sirius let out a strangled yelp and jumped back, pushing himself as far back as the sofa would allow. He felt bile rise in his throat, as he fought to control his panic. Voices pushed into his thoughts. He recognised them but his panic wouldn't allow him to place them.

"Padfoot," James said quickly, as he carefully wrapped his arms around his panicked friend. "It's okay mate, it's just dad and me, remember. I was going to floo dad for his help and he's here. He's not going to hurt you. He's going to help you, remember?"

He could just make out James' voice over his own ragged breaths. He struggled to place what had happened and where he was. "Where am I?"

"Professor Collins' office. He's letting us use it so I could floo dad. Can you remember that mate?"

Sirius slowly nodded. "Yeah, sorry I just. It all got messed up," he said in a whisper.

"That's okay mate. It's just me and dad, no one else is here."

"I'm sorry Mr. Potter," Sirius said quietly.

"Whatever for, Sirius? If anyone it should be me apologising for startling you," Fleamont started. He watched the boy nod, feeling glad he'd formed some connection. "Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey to check you're alright?"

"I, I don't know. What do you think?"

"Well, are you in pain? Do you feel ill?"

"What, more than normal?" Sirius said in a hollow laugh.

Fleamont winced and set his jaw. How the hell had the school allowed Sirius to suffer like this? "Yes, more than normal," he replied in a tense voice. He watched the boy nod. "Is it okay if I get James to go and get Madam Pomfrey?" He watched Sirius nod again. "James can you please get Madam Pomfrey."

"I'll be back in a minute mate," James said, patting his friend's shoulder.

Fleamont waited for a moment before he started again. "Sirius, do you understand the term 'lawyer client privilege'?" he asked carefully.

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. I can't afford a lawyer," Sirius replied tiredly.

"But you think you need one?"

"Whether I need one or not is irrelevant. I don't have a Knut to my name."

Fleamont nodded. "What do you understand by the term 'pro bono'?"

"It's Latin, but it basically means to give free legal services," Sirius replied in a tired voice.

"That means you get access to a lawyer."

"Yeah, that's all good in theory Mr. Potter, but who would give me free legal advice!?"

"I would," Fleamont said simply.

"What?! Why?" Sirius said in disbelief.

"Because everyone deserves the right to have legal advice and you, I know you Sirius and I care about you."

"But why?"

"Because I've known you since you were twelve. You're my son's best friend. You've spent pretty much every holiday at our home. You're kind and funny."

"I'm not kind."

"What? Have you said or done anything hurtful? Of course you have, you're human. Show me a person who claims they haven't and I'll show you a liar. Sirius, you are a good person. Have you made mistakes? Of course you have. So have I," Fleamont carefully continued. He watched Sirius continue to avoid eye contact, and nervously pick at the cast which he was noticing for the first time. "Sirius, what happened to your arm?"

"Nothing," Sirius replied quietly, as he tugged the sleeve over his hand.

"Okay," Fleamont replied slowly. "Sirius, it's going to be okay."

"What? How is everything going to be okay?! Why the hell are you lying to me? Why is everyone bloody lying to me?!" Sirius snapped, his head remaining down, his hair hiding his face.

"Okay, I don't know if it's going to be okay, but if I don't know what happened I can't help," Fleamont replied in a strong voice. "I promise you Sirius I will not lie to you, however hard it is. But you have to talk to me. Sirius, do you know who hurt you?"

Sirius dropped his head further. "Yes," he replied in a hoarse whisper. "But."

"Sirius, do you want me to be your lawyer?" Fleamont watched the boy slowly nod. "Okay. You know, anything you say to me is confidential. I can only pass that information on if you give me permission."

"Okay," Sirius replied, as he nodded slowly.

"Sirius, the people who hurt you, did they threaten you?" Fleamont asked carefully. He watched the boy close his eyes and nod. He pressed on. "Did they threaten anyone else?" He watched Sirius nod again. "Sirius, I know this is hard but can you tell me who hurt you?"

Sirius took a couple of shallow breaths. "My parents," he finally whispered.

Of course, he had known the Blacks' obsession with blood purity and the dark arts, but he'd never imagined it would amount to abusing their own son and heir. He had so many questions, but he knew it would be a while before Sirius trusted him enough to answer them. "Has anyone discussed your options with you?"

"Options!?" Sirius exclaimed, shaking his head. "Mr. Potter I'm under-aged, I have no options. I'm my parents' possession until I turn seventeen."

"Just because you are under-aged, it doesn't mean you don't have rights and you are most certainly not someone's possession," Fleamont replied in a shocked voice.

"Yeah," Sirius said bitterly. "No, of course I'm not."

"A thousand galleons."

The tall, pale man let out a laugh and looked down at the trembling boy. "A thousand galleons? For that?!"

"It is my heir," Orion Black replied calmly, as he looked down at his eldest son with disdain.

The tall man crossed the room and stood over the boy for a moment. "I'll give you a Knut for it."

"Please my lord, I know it's pathetic but don't insult me. Does a hundred galleons sound more agreeable?"

"I'll take it off your hands for ten galleons."

Orion regarded his son for a moment. "You have a deal," he said as he rounded his desk and shook the other man's hand.

"Father, please," Sirius pleaded.

"You are no son of mine. You have always been pathetic, weak and worthless, but thankfully, due to this kind man's generosity, you are no longer my responsibility.

"Dad?" Sirius whispered, as he watched his father turn and walk away. He closed his eyes and backed up against the wall. As the heir to the Black title and fortune, he always knew he was just a possession, but he never thought it would amount to them actually selling him. He was trapped now. Any notion of escaping when he was seventeen had long since passed.

"Sirius? Sirius are you okay?"

Sirius blinked several times as the voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Yeah, sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, you just drifted off that's all," Fleamont said kindly. "Is it something you want to tell me about?" He watched as the boy shook his head and draw his knees up to his chest. "We were discussing your options, weren't we?" He watched Sirius slowly nod and pressed on. "What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know," Sirius said in a mumbled whisper. "I don't have any options apart from going back."

"No Sirius, you absolutely do not have to go back to them. You never have to see them again if you don't want to."

"How?! They'll just pay someone off, like they always do. I, I don't know what to do," Sirius mumbled, as he buried his head in his knees.

"I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I'm guessing you're scared and confused," Fleamont started. He watched the boy nod, before pressing on. "You're terrified of them, yet at the same time they're your family."

"They can get the Ministry to bend to their whim," Sirius added, as he slowly looked up. "I'm trapped and I don't think, well I don't think I could-"

"Stand in front of the Ministry and give evidence against them?" Fleamont suggested. He watched his young client nod. "Merlin Sirius, I would never force you to do that."

"What do you suggest?" Sirius asked, holding Fleamont's glaze for a moment before looking down again.

"A restraining order," Fleamont replied simply. "They wouldn't be able to contact you or come within 500 yards of you. I think, now correct me if I'm wrong, but it might just give you a bit of time and space to figure out what you want."

"What do you need from me?"

"Nothing at the moment, Sirius. But in a couple of days we'll need to go to a judge. It's nothing to worry about, all you need to do is say what you want," Fleamont explained. Hearing a knock on the door, he looked up. "Yes?"

"Mr. Potter, I have been told Sirius needs to see me."

"Sirius, is that okay?" Fleamont asked, returning his focus. He watched the boy nod. "Please come in." He stood back and allowed the healer in. "James," he said, approaching his son.

"Is Sirius going to be okay? Are you going to help him?" James asked urgently, as he anxiously looked over his friend.

"I am going to be his lawyer, that's all I can tell you."

"But you're not going to make him go back to his parents? They're evil. He had to blow up a classroom before someone finally noticed he'd be walking around with a broken wrist for a week!" James said angrily. "He was barely alive. He's still ill. He can barely get through a lesson without falling asleep. They tried to poison him before, and it's still in him. The stupid healers still haven't worked out what it is! Oh, and as they didn't finish him off first time around, they sent him a poisoned letter."

"James?"

"Yeah, when we were having supper tonight, they sent an owl with a poisoned letter! Thank Merlin Remus noticed the owl bloody dying or they would have succeeded!" James ranted, his eyes overly bright with tears.

"James," Fleamont said, as he gently hugged his son. "We're going to help Sirius. We're going to make sure he gets healthy again."

"How dad?" James said between sobs. "How? The teachers abandoned him. It's as though they don't care if he lives or dies. I abandoned him. If I hadn't been so stupid earlier, he, he…"

"No James, you will not blame yourself for this. You are a child, you shouldn't be taking on something like this!"

"But-"

"Should Sirius have told an adult when he got onto the train?"

"He wasn't on the train. He was four days late. His family said he had died from dragonpox!" James snapped.

Fleamont frowned. Evidence of Sirius' abandonment and abuse got worse and worse. "James, none of this was your fault."

"Then why does it feel like it is?"

"Because you are a good person."

"I don't feel like I am," James replied, shooting a glance over at his friend. "I've got to go dad. I need to be there for Sirius."

"Of course. I'll just be over here if you need me."

James walked over. Collapsing on the sofa next to his best friend, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "You seem more relaxed," he observed.

"Yeah, you were right."

James frowned. "Right about what?"

"Telling someone, it was the right thing to do."

"Ah Padfoot, sooner or later you'll learn I'm always right."

"Piss off, Prongs," Sirius said sighing. "But thank you. Thank you, thank you for everything."