Part three. Thanks sooooooooooooo much to all the people who reviewed it and their suggestions. It really helps. Again most of the similarities between Harry and Sirius will be explained. Not in this fic though. I'm working on a sequel now. It will hopefully explain any questions you have. Please review but no flames. Encouraging comments are most helpful. But with all the homework I have, I don't know when I can get the next parts up. I'll try to do it as soon as possible. One more thing. This is MY version on what happened. If J.K. Rowling writes it different oh well, This is my version and my story. Or actually Sirius's as he hasn't left my head yet. I have fired Elmer Fudd. A word of advice. Do not send him after ant plot bunnies that you want to get rid off as he will only encourage them. Sirius has now invited Erin, Lily, James, and Remus in and I can not think. He tried to invite Peter but then I made him read the third book and he tried to kill Peter. I told him not to as I have a very messy fate in mind and I want to sit back and laugh.
Now again, I own nothing. Expect Peter jumped off a cliff day. Which will, be celebrated when ever you want. So try it on your teachers. See what happens. But you didn't get it from me. Got it? Good. I don't own Erin. She owns Sirius. Hope u like.
Chapter 9: Summer
We went home that summer with a new sense of happiness none of us had ever had before. I looked forward to a new life full of friendship and magic. One I had never had before. I had friends, great friends. Friends I would die for. And a friend for whom I just might. And that worried me. Everything I'd read said that we had to get the spell perfect or else. And to be perfectly honest I doubted Peter's ability. And my own.
. I could tell Dad was glad to have me home. He had wanted to know everything about school and the whole way home (we live in a small village about two hours outside of London) I told him about school. I don't think he understood half of what I was saying but he listened. I think after all the letters home he must have gotten he would have been angry. But no. He was proud if anything else. I told him those were just the times we'd been caught Addi made me tell her every single prank I had ever pulled. She couldn't believe how much I had changed. She had changed too but not as much as me.
"You seem older."
"What do you mean?"
" Not just taller." I had shot up three inches since last year. " There's something else. It's more mature. More confident. More serious, no pun intended. I don't know. I can't put my finger on it."
"Dad?" I asked on night at dinner.
"Yes?" I had been wondering about telling him all month. Addi, I was dying to tell, but I didn't. It was hard keeping a secret like that. But I told myself you're going to have to keep it the rest of your life might as well start now. But I had to say something. So I went for the hypothetically speaking approach.
"If someone were to do something for a friend, and it might be dangerous but if it worked it would make the friend really happy, should they do it?"
Dad put down his fork and gave me a long stare. Addi gave me a confused stare and waited for my dad to answer.
" How dangerous are we talking?"
"Really."
"Like deadly?"
"It's possible. But more like trapped."
"I see. And this friend, is he worth it?"
"Oh, definitely."
"Well, If the friends happiness means that much then just be careful." I couldn't believe it. He was acutely telling me I could become an animagus. Of course he didn't know that was what we were planning. But still.
I smiled. "Thanks Dad."
We sat in silence for a while.
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"Could I have some friends over?"
"What friends?"
"James and Remus and Peter. I'd ask Lily and Erin but Lily's in the states and Erin
went to Ireland for the summer."
"Well sure. That's fine with me. I'd like to meet your partners in crime anyway. And maybe the girls can come over next summer."
"Great can I go send the owls now?"
"Sure." I raced out of the room and hastily wrote invitations to all three.
The next day Ernie was sitting on my window with three replies looking very proud of him self. I took them and ruffled him feathers affectionately. He loved that.
Dear Sirius,
I'd love to come. You know what just happened so I'm free for three weeks. I can't wait to see you guys. How did your dad react to all the owls' home? Mine just sighed. And then grounded me for all eternity He wonders where the kid who was good and quiet and never got into trouble went. I told him with you two, as friends there is no way you can't get in trouble. I wasn't sure he'd let me come seeing as you guys are my "partners in crime" as he calls us. But mum drove him crazy "Come on he just went through the transformations. He needs to get out. Have some fun." " Oh alright as long as I don't get any owls from this boys father saying you've blown up his toilet." And I'm quoting. I want to meet your sister. She sounds really cool. See ya tomorrow.
Remus
P.S. Thank you again. You know what for.
Dear Sirius,
Thank you sooooooo much. I need some excuse to get away. My mum's driving me insane. " James you need to behave. Good grades don't make up for bad behavior." Blah blah blah. We need to talk anyway. I am totally serious about this whole animal thing. I've asked my dad and he told me a little. We need to get working on the potion. So we should try to get as many of the ingredients as we can this summer. Who knows when we could get some of them in school? I can't wait to see you all. How did your dad react to the letters? My mum nearly blew when I came home, but Dad just laughed. He's proud for me! He said if only we put that much energy into our schoolwork. I told him what was the point? We get top grades anyway. I can't wait to meet your sister. She sounds awesome. I'm trying out for Quiddich next year. You should too. You're really good. See ya.
James
Dear Sirius,
I would love to come over. We need to talk. I'll see you tomorrow.
Peter.
I couldn't wait. My friends were all coming. We would work on the potion. I still had the book. Unlike muggle libraries, at Hogwarts you can take a book out for as long as you want. And you never get nasty letters asking for them back. I had copied all the info we needed on notes just in case.
The next morning I woke up at five. When I couldn't stand it any more (Neither could Addi. She threw me out. We were sharing a room while hers was being repainted.) I ran into my dad's room and jumped up and down on his bed until he got up. This was at 5:15.
At 9: 30 the doorbell rang. As I had been standing there since 8:00 I answered it right away. Peter stood there with a woman I assumed was his mom.
"Peter. Come on in." My dad introduced himself and Addi and Peter's mum turned to him.
"Now Peter do you have everything?"
"Yes mum."
"Your toothbrush?"
"Yes mum."
"Your happy sheep pajamas?"
"Happy sheep pajamas?!"
"Remus! Hey great to see you." I grinned.
"Alright then I'll se you in a few weeks snookums. Just send mummy an owl if you get homesick."
"Bye mum." Peter said through clenched teeth. She pulled the door closed behind her. Then we lost it.
"Happy sheep p.j.s?!"
"Snookums?!"
"Shut up."
"What did I miss?"
"Hi James." Peter grumbled.
"What's wrong with them."
"Happy sheep p.j.s!" Remus gasped holding his sides.
"Snookums!" I got out. That was all it took to send Remus and me rolling on the floor. It took us a good five minutes to recover. By then my dad had come back out into the hall. He shook hands with James's dad. They took one look at Remus and me on the floor holding our sides and Peter's sulking and James and Addi 's confusion
"Mr. Potter why don't you and I go in the kitchen?"
"Good idea."
"Oh great you're leaving me here?"
"They're your friends James." They left very quickly. When we had recovered we went into the kitchen.
"Dad this is James Potter."
"So this is the famous James Potter."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Black."
"And this is Remus Lupin."
"I've heard a lot about you too." Remus and James grinned.
"Are they always like this?" Addi asked me.
" This is the Potter gang on good day."
"Oh dear."
"Now what is this I hear about bewitching one of your fellow students to hop around whenever anyone said his name?" Dad asked
We all gave him our worst puppy-dog faces. Lily said they were worst then all our tricks put together. Professor McGonagall even fell for them.
"We have no idea what you're talking about."
Chapter 10: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
Later in my room we talked. Addi was staying in the guestroom Dad was remodeling for her own room.
"So you guys are really sure about this?" Remus still wasn't too happy about it. He kept reminding us of all the dangers of what we were about to undertake.
"Yes Remus we told you like a million times."
"Guys the reason I was late was I was getting the powdered bicorn horn in Knockturn alley." James lived in Digon alley. Remus lived up near Wales. And Peter lived down in Kent.
"Your dad let you go in there? MY dad won't even let me."
"I thought your dad was a muggle."
"He is. Unfortunately he and mum lived in a wizard town before she died. He just listened to what people said."
"So did he?"
James grinned his " I am up to absolutely no good" smile. "No." Then he was serious
"Now listen carefully. We chose the animal that best suits us. And don't pick something that will draw attention like a dragon." Peter pouted for a second. He had confessed that wish when we first planned this. " Something you would find in a forest or the countryside. Then once we do this spell we'll be able to change any time we want. That's only if we get it right and we have one chance." He glanced at Peter, then continued to talk.
"Some one should be small. To slip under the branches and freeze the willow. But the other two will be big."
"How big?" I asked
"Big enough to control a werewolf." We sat in silence for a second.
"I already know what I'm gonna be." He said.
"What?" Peter asked.
"A stag." There was a tense silence. I had to do something to brake it.
"I can see you as Bambi."
They all laughed and James lightly punched me in the shoulder.
"You're a dog Sirius."
"Hey that's it!"
"What's it?"
"A dog. Sirius can be a dog." Remus grinned. I smiled back then looked thoughtful.
"That's not a bad idea. A big one though. Like a wolfhound. No little Chihuahua thingies. You'd eat me in five seconds. I don't fancy being the main course." They all laughed.
"No, you'd be the appetizer. Peter would be the main course. He'd be more filling."
"I am not fat!"
"Sure you're not."
"Since when do you eat at fancy restaurants?"
"Well, I think stags eat plants so I'd be the one enjoying dog and, other animal that we haven't decided yet." Remus trailed off. I grinned. A normal person might think it weird that my friend was talking about eating me. But not me.
"That leaves Peter the small animal." James said.
"How about a rat?" Peter said.
"A rat? Ew." I said.
"Sure a rat could climb up the tree and press the knot." So could a lot of other creatures I could think of. But I kept my mouth shut.
"I take it back. Sirius would make a fine main course."
"Shut up."
"What? I don't like rats."
The second night we came up with our nicknames.
"James?"
"Yes Peter?" He asked exasperated. It was midnight. We had just gone over the incantation we needed for the spell. It took us that long to get Peter to remember it.
"Are you going to have big altars with prongs and everything?"
"Prongs?" I laughed. "That's what we should call you, James. Prongs."
"Prongs. I like it." Remus said.
"Me too." James said. "Well, If I'm Prongs you should be Padfoot."
"Why?" I asked.
"Dogs have padded feet and it makes them quiet. And you need to be quiet to be sneaky. And Sirius is very sneaky."
"Haha."
"That's good, James." Remus laughed.
"Just cause you're so moody whenever the moon come out." I shot.
"Moony!" We all looked at him.
You're moony."
"Thanks a lot."
"No. Not moody. Moony. That's your name." Remus grinned
"Now we just need Peter." Remus said.
"I don't know why you chose a rat. I mean yuck." We all laughed.
"Well, at least you're not Bambi."
I told him and was rewarded by a pillow in the face from James. You can guess what happened next. I threw it back at him. He ducked and it hit Remus. He jumped at me and knocked me down. We spent the rest of the night running around fighting and laughing. Somehow, I'm not sure how; we came up with Peter's nickname. Wormtail.
Chapter 11: A loss and a revelation
The next day at breakfast, which was at noon, so I guess maybe it was more like lunch, because of our all night battles, we tried out our new names.
"Padfoot, can you please pass the butter?"
"Sure thing Moony."
"What's up with the new names?" Addi asked
"You wanna tell her Prongs?"
"You Padfoot. She's your sister."
"Why not Moony? He's good at explaining?"
"No way Wormtail. It's Padfoots' reasonability."
"Responsibility? Why is it mine? It was your idea."
" May I remind you whose idea it was for the ani…" I kicked him under the table and smiled innocently, and he paused just in time. My Dad and sister were looking expectantly at us, but we didn't say anything else. My dad said, " So what are you boys planning on doing today?"
"Well, we wanted to play Quiddich but Sirius doesn't have a broom."
"Well, I thought I might show them around town. Do we still have those extra bikes?"
"Yeah I think so."
Remus dropped his fork. "You have a bike?"
"Yeah. I'm half mudblood as Snape reminds me every chance he gets, remember?'
James's fist tightened. "Why can't he just leave you alone about that?"
"Mudblood? What does that mean?" Dad asked. My friend exchanged looks. "Boys. Tell me."
Then Remus sighed. " It's a name for muggle born wizards. It's not very nice."
"That's the understatement of the year."
"No the understatement of the year is that we got into a little trouble this year as Lily told her parents." I said. The tension broke when they all laughed.
"So we can ride the bikes into town." I said. My friend looked at me.
"Sirius we don't know how to ride." James said.
"Don't worry. It's kinda like a broom only you don't fly. But since I don't have a broom I have to put up with a bike. But Dad said I can have a broom next year for school, right Dad?"
"Broom? Who said anything about a broom?"
'Aw, come on Dad. Please? Please?"
"Yeah Mr. Black. How's he gonna try out for Quiddich if he doesn't have a broom?"
"Oh alright. We'll get you a broom when we get your school stuff."
"YES!"
"Can I have one?"
" No Addi."
"Why not? Sirius gets everything."
"You don't need magic to ride a broom. Muggles can do it. Look at Peter." James told her.
"Hey!"
"I'll teach you next summer." I laughed. She grinned.
"Great. I'm gonna go see Kim. " Kim was her friend.
We raced outside. I showed them my bike. James picked up how to ride very fast. Remus had a little trouble getting on. Peter got on and then fell over and somehow got trapped under the bike. We were lifting it off him when my only muggle friend Tommy came up.
"Hey Sirius. My dad said you were back."
"Yeah I've been home for a month."
"I was at camp."
"Oh."
We stared at each other. James, Remus and Peter looked back and forth. He had changed. He had grown but I still was taller. I was the tallest of the Potter gang. But there was something different about him. Something in his eyes that seemed superior. Too much like Snape. It felt like he was looking down at my friends and me. I know we were good looking. I'm not trying to brag. But it was sort of obvious the way the girls all acted so weird and started giggling non-stop whenever we talked to them. We had just been confused until Lily and Erin had explained it to us. I mean we probably looked a little messy right now though. My black hair was longer than it had been before. I liked it that way. It gave me a scruffy look and I was tanner. James's hair was beyond all help and his glasses were taped together. They had been broken when someone hit him with a very hard pillow last night, and since we couldn't use magic and my dad was a muggle the only solution was tape. Remus was pale as usual and still looked kinda weak from the full moon a few days ago. And Peter was small and plump and pretty much looked like a wimp.
"James, Remus and Peter this is Tommy. Tommy the Potter Gang."
"Hi."
"Hi." Remus managed a smile. Peter gave a small wave. I nudged James and He mumbled "Hi."
"So you guys friends form school?" then before they could answer him. " Of course you are. Sirius doesn't have any other friends. Except me. He doesn't make friend easily." I had been right there was something different about him. I didn't like where this was going either. I had never told my friend about how I was at my old school. Remus was home schooled. And James had been the most popular at his school. And Peter had been Peter.
"Doesn't make friends easily? Are we talking about the same Sirius Black? The Sirius Black who made friends with his whole house before the sorting was over? Padfoot? The king of pranks?" James asked.
" King of pranks? I don't think so. Sirius was nothing more than a weirdo at our school. Just got into trouble a lot. He's never even played a joke." This brought howls of laughter from my friends.
"Tommy, I've changed."
"Hphm. Say you never didn't tell me where you go to school."
Peter, having recovered some, answered " We go to Hog" He was cut off by Remus's hand over his mouth.
"Well, you never told me where you go." I said changing the subject.
"I go to Smeltings. My dad's old school, remember?" I remembered. It was all his dad talked about. He had tried to persuade my dad to send me there. Said it would give me the discipline I needed. He never liked Addi or me. He thought we were troublemakers. Thought there was something strange about us. And he didn't like strange things. Thankfully my dad had already decided I would go to Hogwarts and Addi would go to Clearglen. He said it was never open for discussion. Our names had been down ever since we were born. Dumbledore wouldn't let me go anywhere else. When I asked why he just smiled.
"OH, How is everyone here?"
"Well, from what my brother says, Mr. Thompson still runs and hide whenever someone says the word Black."
" I still say that was not my fault."
"Was that the guy you cursed with the full body bind?" Peter asked.
"Yep. Course I didn't know what I was doing. The guy couldn't move for three hours. Never should have tried to give me detention for something I didn't do." That was the thing. I didn't mind getting in trouble for something I did. It was part of the reason I did it. Thrill of the chance of getting caught. But I hated being accused of a crime I didn't commit. I like it even less now.
"Cursed? Body bind? What are you talking about?"
"Well a full body bind is an elementary spell that will leave the victim helpless and unable to move for a certain amount of time." Remus jumped right into his "You should have studied" voice.
"Uh oh. You got him going into study mode. Moony, chill. It's summer."
"Spell? None of that stuff is real. You're not witches." Tommy sneered.
"You're right we're not. We're wizards." James glared at him
"James." I hissed.
"You're joking right? I mean Sirius a wizard? That idiot? Aren't you a little old to be playing make believe?"
"I'll have you know Sirius is the top of our class." I don't think I'd ever seen James and Remus this mad. Peter backed down. He always did. We all knew that if he got into a fight he'd be beaten into a pulp in five seconds or less. Remus had even pulled out his wand. James looked more ready to strangle Tommy with his bare hands.
"Oh look he even has a little wand. What are you gonna do? Cast a spell on me?"
"Don't tempt me." It came out more like a growl.
"Really Sirius. Your friends need to grow up."
Remus pointed the wand. I grabbed his arm.
" Moony, relax. Underage wizard law? Expel? Bad!" Remus glared but lowered his wand.
"Look Tommy," I turned to face him. " Thing have changed. I've changed. These are my friends and they are telling the truth."
"The truth?"
I took a deep breath. I glanced at my friends. They gave me encouraging looks. James nodded
" We go to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. I am a wizard. James, Remus, and Peter are all wizards. Broomsticks, wands, spells and dragons. There are dragons right?"
"Of course. Where do you think we get dragons blood?" James laughed.
" Hey I don't know these things. You have to tell me. Any way it's all true."
"You're kidding right? I mean this is a joke."
"Nope. Remember all that weird stuff that happened when I was younger? That was magic. I just didn't know it. My mum was a witch."
Tommy's eyes widened. I knew what he was thinking. If I could do that without knowing it, what could I do to him now that I was in training? And I knew our friendship was over. "Then she should have died. The less freaks like you the better." I stood in shock. I had been teased for being a half muggle, but never for being half wizard.
"Go. And if you ever come back you will be very very sorry." James almost spit the words out.
He backed away slowly. We watched him go.
"Too bad." I said trying to hide how much he had hurt me. I tried to climb back on to the bike. But I couldn't see. My eyes were too blurry. But I didn't cry. I never cried. Not even when Snape had tripped my down the stairs after a detention and I broke my leg. Since it was late no one was out. It wasn't until way past midnight when my friends missed me and came looking for me that any one saw me. Not even when I found out the truth about my mum. I couldn't see. He had been my only friend for so long. Then when he learned the truth he abandoned me. Now I knew why Remus was so scared to tell us. It hurts to lose people you care about. It hurts a lot. And he had opened an old wound. I never knew my mother. I was proud of what she was, what I was. So were Addi and Dad. But I knew she was killed by dark magic. I had never told my friends that. I wanted so much to know her, to see her and talk to her. But she was gone. I felt James take my arm and he led me to the curb where he sat down with me. Remus sat down next to me after he had thrown a rock at Tommy's retreating back. Peter stood behind us as if unsure what to do. I could see why. James and I, we were his protectors. I simply sat there for a while. But I didn't cry.
I looked up at them. James gave me a smile. God, he had a smile that could fill a room with happiness and mischief and drive away all the darkness. That was his life goal.
"Are you okay? Padfoot?" He asked
I nodded. I didn't trust my voice just yet.
"I know how you feel. That's what my old friends said as soon as they found out." Remus said.
"No." It came out more of a croak that I wanted " My mum." Tears threatened to spill again. I blinked them back. "What he said about my mum."
"I'm sorry Sirius."
"I miss her."
"It's good to talk about it. Then you can get it off your chest." We looked at Peter.
"What? My mum watches those muggle soap opera's okay?"
We laughed.
"So talk." James said.
"What?"
"You need to talk about this, Sirius. I can see it. And we're not leaving until you do."
"You're a funny guy."
"Thank you. Now talk
" I can't."
"How did she die?"
"A dark wizard." They gasped. "A few days after I was born. She was protecting me."
"What do you mean?" James asked
"The guy who killed her," I hadn't really wanted to think about it. I couldn't believe there was someone out there that would want me dead. And for a reason I didn't even know.
"He was there to kill me. Mum was in the way." James and Remus stared in shock.
"Why? Who'd want to kill you? And you were just a baby."
"I don't know. Nether did Dad."
"But why? "
"Did they get caught?"
"Who was it?"
"I don't' know. No. Some guy called Voldemort."
"Voldemort? My dad told me about him. He's bad news." James said.
"Tell me about it."
"I'm really sorry Padfoot." Remus said.
"What could you have done? You weren't even born yet." I snapped. I was older than him by five months. A look of hurt washed over Remus's face. Almost immediately I felt sorry. I had forgotten how fragile my friend's feelings were. " I'm sorry."
Remus patted me on the back. " Don't worry about it, man."
"No, I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. I shouldn't said that just now. I know you were trying to help. It's just, I shouldn't, I'm sorry for acting like this. I can't…"
"No. You needed to do that. I could see it. Sometimes it's better to just let it all out at once. Then you get it over with."
"Are you okay now?" James asked. I looked up at my friends. They had true concern in their eyes. It hit me for the first time that the loyalty I felt for them, they felt for me. They really cared whether I was okay or not. I smiled and nodded.
"Now what do ya say we go do some damage?" James had that all too familiar glint in his eye.
I grinned. " Lets go."
We rode into to town, almost getting hit several times. The others didn't really get roads and sidewalks. I took them to the candy store where it turns out the owner was a wizard. This came as a surprise as I had known him my whole life. He pulled us into the back room where we got an unlimited amount of wizard candy. He even fixed James's glasses. We left our arms bulging with bags when Tommy and a few of his "friends" walked in. We gave them huge grins and left. Tommy ran and hid in the corner. Needless to say we were up very late that night too.