That summer I went back to my grandfathers. Addi was waiting for me and together we endured another month of pain and ridicule.
You may think I was a fool, not even attempting to get away. I tried, oh, I tried. I ran away several times, but each time was dragged back by my grandfather or his paid minions.
The first was that summer. My grandparents often had parties in which they invited people more or just as wealthy as themselves and spent the entire night talking about each other. Addi and I had been banished to our separate rooms for the night. I decided to get some homework done and was in the middle of writing a nasty essay for Potions when my ink ran out. I knew there was a fresh supply in my grandfather's study. If only I could sneak past the hall that opened up into the main dining and living rooms.
His study was on the ground floor, near the back of the house, almost next to the kitchens. There had been times when he locked me in there and the smells from the kitchen would just come wafting in, driving me mad.
I listened to the clink of glasses and the murmur of voices from two floors down. If I was careful, I could go down the back stairs, into my grandfather's study, grab a fresh inkpot, and be back up before anyone saw me. If they did, they were sure to ask my grandparents, and it would be trouble later on.
I made my way slowly down the back stairs. Checking to see there was no one in sight, I slipped down the hall to the second door and pulled it open. It creaked a bit and I winced. But I quickly set to work.
Digging through the drawers, I pulled out a fresh inkpot and shoved it into my pocket. Then I slipped out the door and made my way to the stairs.
"Why, hello there! Who are you?" I heard a woman's voice call out. I stopped and glanced behind me. An elderly woman, about my grandmother's age, and dressed in rich, satiny clothes none of my girlfriends could have afforded, was approaching me. She smiled and reminded me of the grandmother's I saw on TV, kind, loving, fragile old women who doted on their grandkids and spoiled them rotten.
"I don't think we've met. I'm Elizabeth Manchester. Who are you?" She smiled.
"Sirius, Sirius Black." I said, praying I wouldn't draw any more attention.
"Black? Are you related to old Taurus?" I nodded.
"He's my grandfather." I wondered if I should have lied and said I was simply with the kitchen help.
"Really? I thought he wasn't on good relations with his son."
"Well, my father's dead." I answered her, a hint of bitterness creeping into my voice.
"Oh, I am sorry." She did look it, but then my worst fears came true.
" Liz, my dear, what are you doing back here?" My eyes widened and I backed up towards the stairs.
"I was looking for the ladies room, and I met this charming young man. We were just having a delightful conversation." She smiled at me, but I was concentrating on my grandfather. To my surprise, he smiled.
"Ah yes, Sirius. How is that homework coming?" I glanced at him, wondering what game he was playing now.
"It's alright, sir." I replied. My grandfather laughed.
"Siri, how many times have I told you? Do not call me sir." He turned to the woman, "His school is quite rigid and he's used to addressing his elders as sir. I only hope I can break him of the habit." He glanced at me with a warning in his eyes and I knew what he was doing. He was play-acting the part of the loving grandfather when there was company.
"What school do you go to, young man?"
I hesitated. I couldn't very well say Hogwarts. I went with the school my ex-friend Tommy went to. "Smeltings."
She smiled. "Good school. I've heard amazing things."
"Well, if you will excuse me, I have homework to do. Thank you for the new ink pot, grandfather." I flashed her my most charming smile and was up the stairs before he could say a word.
I slammed my door shut and pushed my trunk up against it. I knew there would be hell to pay when the party was over. My window, as I have said, opened up onto the roof. I crawled out and the window slammed shut behind me. I tried to pry it open, but it was stuck. I sighed and collapsed on the roof.
It was cold, and I had on a light jacket. I shivered and listened to someone laugh below me. I leaned over the edge. It was a long way down.
Then I noticed the long strands of ivy snaking up the back of the house. The house was an old one, and it looked the part. It looked like something out of a Victorian novel.
I made my decision. Swinging myself over the edge, I grabbed onto the ivy and slowly lowered myself, using the ivy to help support my weight. There were a few times that I almost slipped when the ivy came out from the crumbling brick, but it was old and almost fully imbedded in the wall.
Finally I reached the ground. I jumped down and took off. I didn't know where I was going, I simply ran. The estate had several acres of ground behind it, so I ran around in front and took off towards the road. If it was possible, I could make it to the train station and hop a train to London. From there I could get a hold of James or Lily and they could help me. I felt guilty for leaving Addi, but there was no time and it was too dangerous to go back for her. She was smart and would know to stay out of his way. He'd leave her alone for now. But the quicker I ran, the sooner I'd get to help. And so I ran.
I reached the nearby town that night, but I couldn't stay there. My grandfather was the mayor. That's why he had the house and the lands. He'd been mayor since, well, forever. That's what Dad told us.
I reached the train station and realized the fatal flaw in my plan. I had no money. Oh well, I could hide on the train and avoid the conductor. I decided that was best I curled up on a bench and waited for daylight and the first train to London.
A whistle awoke me and I opened my eyes. a train had just pulled up and the sign above it said London. I jumped to my feet, ran a hand through my hair, and hurried towards the door.
Suddenly, I felt someone grab my shoulder. Fear chilled my blood and I spun around. A policeman was standing there. He glared down at me. I jerked his hand off of my shoulder and hurried towards the train. He grabbed me again.
"Come on, kid." He growled. I twisted, and fought to get free.
"Let me go!" we were attracting a large crowd.
"Come on kid! " The policeman growled " There's no use running anymore. He's a runaway." He told the crowd.
"Let me go! I am not!" I shouted. But he was not only stronger, but also taller, and he managed to pull me away to the parking lot. When I saw the long black limo, I began to fight harder.
The window rolled down and my grandfather glared at me.
"Thank you Sam." He said to the officer who all but threw me into the open door. I sprawled on the floor, then jumped up, sitting as far away from my grandfather as possible. The car started and we headed back. My grandfather glared at me the whole way. I curled up in the corner, ignoring his order to get my feet of his new leather seats.
When we pulled up in front of the house my grandfather got out first and grabbed my shirt to pull me out. He dragged me up the steps, down the hall and threw me down in his study. The first thing I saw was Addi, standing there, tear stained face and shaking. My grandmother was holding her around her shoulders, in pretense of a loving hug, but I knew it was so she couldn't run away.
"I'm sorry." I mouthed just before I was yanked to my feet.
"What do you think you were doing?!" my grandfather shouted. He slapped me across the face. I winced, but ignored him. " Answer me!" I said nothing. He seized my shoulders and began to shake me. He shook me until my head felt like it was going to explode. I felt like a rag doll, being shaken back and forth until I was limp. Then he slapped me hard again.
"Tell me what you think you were trying to do, you little bastard!" he shouted. I remained silent and he grabbed my shoulders again. After a few shakes, his hands moved downwards to my arm. He grabbed my wrist and twisted, until my arm was behind me and it was burning. I couldn't pull my arm out of his grip and he laughed. I could feel his breath on my neck, hot and disgusting.
"Don't you ever get it into your head that you can get away from me." he hissed. " You are here to stay. Besides, " he laughed, " no one would believe you." He jerked my arm even higher and I felt more than heard the popping noise as my arm snapped. He let me go and I collapsed. I let out a whimper as he grabbed me by the neck and dragged me to my feet. He wrapped his hands around my throat and my good arm flew up to try and release his iron grip. I do believe he would have killed me then and there had the phone not rung right then. He dropped me and stomped away to answer it. I fell to the floor and Addi twisted out of our grandmother's grip to kneel beside me and help me sit up while I coughed.
Grandfather did not seem too pleased when he set the phone down and grabbed my collar.
"Phone is for you. Make it quick." Then he sat down at his desk and glared at me. I raised the phone to my ear, trying to force my hands to stop shaking.
"H, h, hello?" My voice was shaking too and I took several deep breathes, trying to calm myself.
"Sirius?" Lily's voice. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Lily, it's you."
"Of course it's me , you prat. James wouldn't know how to dial if someone hit him over the head."
I heard a indignant "Hey!" in the background.
"Anyway," Lily continued, "we're all going to Remus's. Are you coming?"
"Yeah. Yeah, that would be great."
"Great. Just ask your grandfather and we'll be over to pick you and Addi up tomorrow." My heart dropped. I couldn't ask him. He'd say no, he'd call me a little bastard and a freak and so many other things. He'd hit me and say how dare I want to leave when he provides everything for me. I didn't want Lily to hear that.
"It's alright." I said. There was a pause.
"Did you ask him?"
"Yes." I lied. Lily sighed. I winced. I knew if there was one thing she was famous for, it was her ability to smell a lie. But she said nothing about it.
"Alright. We'll be there tomorrow." I nodded.
"See you then." Then the phone was hung up and my lifeline was snapped. I replaced the phone and made my way past my grandparents and up the stairs. Addi followed me and we waited till we got up to my room before we did a thing. She hugged me tight.
"I was so scared when he told me you were gone. I thought you'd left without me."
"I wanted to go back for you, but I couldn't. It was too dangerous." I whispered, holding her tight. "I'm so sorry, Addi. So sorry."
"It's alright, Siri. It's alright." I held her as tight as I could.
"Lily said she and James are coming to pick us up tomorrow." I told her. She smiled, then frowned.
"Does grandfather know?" I shook my head.
"No." she sighed.
"Sirius." That was her warning tone.
"Look Addi, do you really think he would let us go? After what I just pulled? No. But if my friends show up and we simply leave, he can't do a thing about it. Understand?" she sighed, but agreed.
I ripped up an old shirt to use as a sling. Moving my arm at all caused fiery pain to shoot up and down it.
About an hour later, my grandfather dragged me down the stairs and outside into the waiting car. We arrived at the hospital and I was rushed to the emergency room. The doctor who examined me frowned as he looked over my bruised body. My grandfather stood by, muttering under his breath about the foolishness of young people.
"And how did you do this, Sirius?" the doctor pointed to my arm, now encased in a muggle cast.
I glanced at my grandfather. "Fell off my motorbike." I mumbled. The doctor bought it and we returned home. I still did not mention Lily and James's visit.
And the next day, just as we finished breakfast, the doorbell rang.
I was up in an instant, running up the stairs and dragging my suitcase out of hiding in my closet. As I lugged it down the stairs, I heard Addi's voice, and James's and Lily's. I also heard heavy footsteps on the stairs.
The next instant, my grandfather appeared on the landing. He looked furious.
"What are they doing here?" he roared, not even bothering to keep his voice down. They were "freaks," like me and so did not deserve his politeness.
"They're here to take us. We're going to visit my friend."
"Like hell you are!" he shouted. I pushed past him, dragging my suitcase one handed behind me.
"Where do you think you're gong? Get back here, you little brat!" he shouted and grabbed my arm, dragging me around to face him. Then he gave me one hard slap that sent me partially down the steps.
As I got to my feet, James, Lily, Addi, and Mr. Potter had suddenly come into view. I glared at my grandfather, just daring him to do anything right there in front of them. He did nothing and I picked up my suitcase again. James moved forward to help me and in the next few minutes, we were pulling out. I tried not to touch my cheek, which I'm sure, was still red from the back of his hand.
There was an uneasy silence in the car. I noticed Mr. Potter kept glancing back at us. We'd been driving for almost an hour before anyone spoke. Mr. Potter pulled over into a gas station, and I climbed out to help him.
As I showed him how to pump the gas, he glanced at me. Taking my chin, he turned my face so he could see my left cheek.
"What happened, Sirius?" I saw James and Lily watching from the front and back seats. Addi was staring at her hands.
"I fell off my bike." I told him. He did not look convinced. "I did. I ran over a rock. It flew up, hit me and I fell off. I broke my arm doing it too." I insisted. He sighed and led me to the counter to pay. Before we headed back to the car, he looked me right in the eyes.
"You know you can tell me anything, Sirius." I nodded. " If ever you're unhappy or you're scared, just give us a call and we'll be right there to get you." I smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." He smiled.
"Don't mention it. Now let's get back before James blows up the car." The air in the car was much more relaxed and Lily, Addi and I spent the whole ride trying to teach James the song, 99 bottles of beer on the wall. Even Mr. Potter joined in. You know, for the minister of magic, Mr. Potter was the most like a kid as much as we were. He loved to join in on our games when his precious time allowed. Although he employed men to watch and follow James, much like security guards or bodyguards, he knew we ditched them all the time. And he loved to give us tough hardened men just to see their reactions under the pressure.
"They can stand the pressure of attacks," he'd tell his men, " but to truly test them, you must put them up against the Marauders." He truly was the father I needed in those hard times after my own was gone. Mrs. Potter was the mother I needed, and they were there for me many times over the next few years. I was very grateful.
Once we'd reached the Lupins, which took another four hours, I was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Lupin.
"Sirius, what happened to your arm?"
"I fell off my bike." I told her. James and Remus laughed, but Addi frowned. She did not approve of me keeping secrets from my friends and wanted to tell Remus at least. But I forbid her to.
The summer couldn't have lasted longer. I couldn't wait to be back in school, and counted down the days till I would meet my friends at Kings Cross Station.
I was happy to be back. The summer had been horrible. Aside from the trip to Remus's, my grandfather had done nothing but torture me all summer and I was about fed up. There was only so much I could stand, but every time I opened my mouth, he would only beat me more severely. At the train station Addi and I had had our first fight in a long time.
"Sirius," she told me as we waited for her train. "I'm going to tell Remus."
I turned to her. "Tell him what?"
"About grandfather." My smile was gone.
"Addi, don't."
"Sirius, you can't hide this forever! One of these days you'll end up in the hospital, or worse! Then what am I supposed to tell your friends? Sirius, they're your friends, they will understand. I'm not keeping your secrets anymore!"
"Addi, there is more to this than that. You know it and I know it. You can't tell. They'd only get mad and he'd get worse. I can handle it! He doesn't get to me!"
"Sirius, that's the problem. Nothing gets to you. No matter what he does, he can't break you! That's what he wants!"
"I'm not going to give it to him, Adhara! And you are not telling anyone!" I glared at her. She glared back.
"Goodbye Sirius." She said, coldly as her train pulled up. I bit my lip, and then I pulled her into a bear hug.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "But please, don't tell anyone. Please." She took a deep breath.
"For now, Sirius. I'll keep your secret for now." Then she climbed on the train and was gone.