Disclaimer: For the disclaimer, warnings, etc., please see the first chapter.

Black

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Chapter 10 - Father and Son

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Sirius stood his ground, his eyes narrowed to slits as his father approached him. Remus bit his lip, hard, terrified. He expected the hitting to begin any second now, but Mr. Black stopped less than a foot away from Sirius. He cracked his knuckles and smirked. Did you really think you'd get away with it? You've been killing off those blokes! I found your knife! I know you're guilty!

Been doing a bit of snooping, have you? Sirius said coolly. Haven't you got anything better to do? Like - drinking, perhaps?

Shut up, Mr. Black snarled.

Come on, Da. You're turning into a drunk. You've been drinking worse than ever this week. Losing control of it, aren't you? It's really disgusting. But then - I suppose you need the courage, right? I've started standing up to you. Once Mum and Regulus decide to do the same, you won't be such a big man, will you? You might have to start throwing back a few before you can start hurting us, am I right? Sirius continued recklessly. He was seeing red. Fresh rage swept over him as he remembered his father hitting Remus. He loathed this man, hated him with every part of his heart and soul and mind. It was going to end now, one way or another.

I don't need anything to take care of you, Mr. Black growled. He began to roll up his sleeves. Mark my words, boy - after I'm done with you, you'll be lucky to leave this room, let alone this house. He bared his teeth in an insane grin. I'm going to make you wish you'd never been born.

Sirius said softly. Remus moaned and grabbed his lover's arm, trying to get him to shut up. Anything Sirius had to say was just going to make his father angrier, and Mr. Black was scary enough already. One wrong word, and it was likely neither Remus nor Sirius would leave the room alive.

Mr. Black glared. Look at you - why did you kill them, eh? Why? There's no reason for it. Are you going to try and tell me it's my fault, that you went out and killed them just because I hit you? Like the shite those new-age hippie whiners keep going on about?

said Sirius. And it's really none of your business why I do anything.

No. It's the police's business, isn't it? his father smirked.

Go call them, then, Sirius said mildly. You haven't got any proof.

Haven't I? Mr. Black reached into his pocket and pulled something out. He turned and threw it, where it stuck, quivering, in the wall over the bed. Remus gasped - it was a bloody knife. He shrank away, scrambling off the bed and backing up into a corner, keeping the sheet wrapped firmly around his slender body. Mr. Black and Sirius ignored him.

So you found a knife, Sirius said. Congratulations. Where's the proof that it's mine?

Mr. Black chuckled. Come off it, laddie. Why else would there be a bloody knife in the house? In my liquor cabinet, no less?

Regulus could have put it there. Sirius said calmly. Or Mum. Or even you, Da. He looked closely at his father. You really don't know what you're doing anymore, do you? The drinking's been getting out of hand lately, hasn't it? Is it really bad? Sirius' mouth stretched into a grim, gruesome smile. Having hallucinations, Da? Paranoid delusions? Thinking up all sorts of ways to get rid of me, before I kill you, too?

Shut your mouth! Mr. Black shouted.

How d'you know it isn't all your imagination? How d'you know you aren't just imagining that knife? You might be going crazy! Sirius shouted back. He looked quite as insane as his father, that mad grin on his face, spittle flying from his lips. What else are you seeing, Da? Little green men? Bugs in the corners? How d'you know you aren't -

WHACK.

With a roar of rage, Mr. Black hit Sirius across the face with all the strength he could muster, which was quite a lot. Sirius staggered, his cheek going instantly numb. He caught hold of the wardrobe door and managed to keep himself from falling, but it was a near thing. He shook his hair out of his eyes, growling. His father came towards him again, ready to go, but before he could do anything, Remus threw himself between the two.

Stop it! he cried, tears welling in his eyes. Just stop it! Please, don't hit him!

With a bellow, Mr. Black picked Remus up, as if he weighed absolutely nothing, and threw him. Remus hit the wall and screamed in pain, squeezing his eyes shut. It was the worst pain he had ever experienced; the world faded in and out as he lay still, entwined in the sheet, gasping for breath. Dimly, he heard another shout of anger - whether it was Sirius or his father, he couldn't tell. He moaned, unable to make any louder noise.

You bastard! Sirius screamed, charging at his father. His father stepped back, taken by surprise, and didn't put up his hands in time. Sirius' knuckles collided with his father's chin, and his other fist drove itself deep into Cépheus' stomach. All the air rushed out of his mouth, the tall man making an odd whoofing noise. But even having the wind knocked out of him didn't stop him - bent over double, Mr. Black used the opportunity to butt Sirius in the stomach with his head, knocking his son over.

For a moment, no one moved; Remus still lay on the floor, struggling to take a deep breath; both Sirius and his father were getting their wind back. They glared at each other; each seemed to be silently daring the other to take another chance. Remus watched them apprehensively. Finally, Mr. Black spoke.

Give it up, boy. You're a bloody murderer! Once I go to the police, it's all over for you.

I told you never to lay a hand on Remus again, Sirius growled, ignoring his father's comment.

You can't tell me what to do. If I want to hit him, I will. Mr. Black's eyes flickered over to Remus, who had managed to sit up and was clutching the sheet to his chest. I knew you two were having sex. I suppose we could call this the evidence, eh? You lied to me when I asked you about him.

So what? Sirius snarled. His father's eyes flashed, and he slapped Sirius again.

Respect. I thought your mother and I had done a good job teaching you boys about that. But apparently I was wrong. Maybe you need a refresher course.

Sirius turned his head slightly to the side and spit blood to the floor. You've been wrong about a lot of things. Big of you to finally admit it. What are you going to do when you turn me in, Da? When I show them all these bruises and tell them what you've been doing to me and Mum and Regulus? They'll lock you up with me.

His father grinned. Well, then. I guess I'll just have to persuade you to shut up, won't I?

Come and get me. I'm ready, Sirius said softly.

Mr. Black's grin only widened. Oh no. Not you.

He turned toward Remus and crossed the room in two long strides; before he even realised what was happening, Remus found himself suspended in mid- air. Mr. Black was holding him up by the arm. Remus struggled, trying to get loose and kick him at the same time. Now, now, lad, that isn't nice, Mr. Black said mildly, and punched Remus in the ribs.

Ah - Remus' eyes widened and he clutched at his side; the pain was so overwhelming that he couldn't make a sound. Sirius bellowed and lunged, catching his father around the waist and trying to punch him. Mr. Black whirled around, yelling something at the top of his lungs. Remus tried again to free himself. He almost made it, but Sirius' father, intent on keeping a hold on him with one hand while trying to hit Sirius with the other, bent his arm backward. There was a sickening crack and blinding pain; Remus shrieked.

Sirius caught him as Mr. Black released him, startled; Remus moaned against his lover's chest. His arm was on fire; he was pretty sure it was broken. Somehow, despite his own injuries, Sirius lugged him over to the bed and dumped him on it. Remmie! Remmie, are you okay? My God, your arm -

Siri - Remus tried to say, but Sirius was already straightening up, rushing at his father with a steely, determined glint in his eyes.

BASTARD! I'll make you pay for this - I told you not to hurt him, you sick, stinking drunk -

You can't talk to me that way, laddie! Mr. Black bellowed. He caught Sirius as his son came within reach. Furious, he began hitting Sirius over and over again. Sirius fought back, clawing and spitting like an angry cat, likewise hitting his father with his free hand. One of Cépheus' fists made contact with his son's ribs, and there was a loud cracking sound and a howl of agony from Sirius.

Remus clutched at his broken arm, dazed; he was in so much pain by now that he could barely even see straight. He could tell, however, that Sirius and his father were fighting again; there was blood running in streams down his lover's face. The beautiful blue eyes he loved so much were wide with anger, the normally sleek black hair mussed and falling in Sirius' eyes in sweaty clumps.

Mr. Black was just as disheveled. He, too, was bloody; his knuckles were raw, and blood which Remus suspected to be mostly Sirius' was spattered across his shirt. He twisted Sirius around and hit him squarely in the jaw. More blood flew, and Remus screamed. He looked wildly around for something, anything - something heavy to hit Mr. Black with and knock him unconscious, to stop him -

He seized the only thing within reach - the knife. He wrenched it out of the wall and threw himself forward with a shout. Mr. Black didn't even turn around, though Sirius yelled something and tried to look over his shoulder. Mr. Black punched his son in the eye, not paying the slightest attention.

Let him go! Remus screamed. Let him go, stop hurting him - God help me, I'll kill you if you don't - LET HIM GO!

Shut up! Mr. Black roared without turning around. Sirius' struggles were growing weaker and weaker; despite his amazing endurance, his father's beating was beginning to wear him down. Remus shut his eyes, feeling tears flowing down his cheeks. Please forgive me, God, he prayed, before raising the knife and bringing it down in the small of Mr. Black's back.

Cépheus' eyes widened; he coughed, gagged, and then vomited an amazing glurt of blood and bile. Sirius pulled away as his father let him go, managing to avoid the worst of the splatter. He ran to Remus' side and pulled him away from Mr. Black, who was still making odd noises and grabbing at his back, as if he wanted to pull the knife out. Then, with a groan, he slumped forward and fell to the floor, the room quaking under his weight.

Stunned, Remus and Sirius stared at his unconscious form for a few seconds before they remembered what was going on. Sirius struggled to his feet, helping Remus to do the same. Already livid bruises were rising all over his body; Remus knew he could look no better. He let Sirius help him into his jeans.

Siri -

Sirius' voice was thick. He turned his head and spat out more blood. Don't talk. We need... hospital. We've got to get to the phone.

I... I can't -

You've got to. I'll help you. Sirius put an arm around Remus' waist, and Remus looped his good arm around his lover's neck. They limped slowly towards the door, skirting their way around Mr. Black. It took them a long time to get downstairs, and the stairs themselves were very difficult to manage. Twice they almost fell, jarring Remus' broken arm. He clenched his teeth, but couldn't stop a whimper from escaping.

Sirius panted, shaking his hair back. Let's... go... you're doing good, love... He gagged and spit out more blood.

Once they reached the kitchen, Sirius helped Remus into a chair, then slumped against the wall, clutching at his ribs. One hand reached out to fumble the phone off the wall. He clumsily dialed the number for the police. Remus closed his eyes.

Yes... we're both hurt... my father's dead... we need help, Sirius panted into the phone. Hurry, please - he gave his address to the person on the phone, then hung up. He sunk slowly to the floor, then crawled over to Remus. They're coming, Remmie... it'll be okay now. He rested his head on Remus' knee. It'll be okay, he repeated softly.

Remus opened his eyes wearily, reaching down with his good hand to brush his lover's hair away from his sweaty, bloody face. He wanted to say something, anything - but a crash made him look up in fear, his eyes widening at what he saw. He screamed, and Sirius whirled around.

Mr. Black was standing in the doorway, his teeth bared. Blood had soaked through his shirt and was running in streams from the corners of his mouth; it splattered the linoleum floor in a gristly rain. Remus couldn't believe the man was even still alive, but there he was, glaring at them. It was amazing to try and imagine the excruciating pain he must have been experiencing, but even so, he managed to lurch unsteadily across the kitchen, his eyes fixed on Sirius.

he wheezed. Show - you -

There was a bloodcurdling scream from behind him. Mrs. Black, wearing her coat and hat, was standing there, Regulus behind her, still carrying an armload of books. It looked as if they had just gotten home. They stood stock still in horror, Mr. Black turning to look at his wife. The knife was still protruding from his lower back. Remus felt very sick indeed, but he couldn't hold a candle to Mrs. Black, who was an awful shade of greenish-white. Her terrified eyes flickered from her bloody husband to her son and his lover, who looked like they had been beaten within an inch of their lives. At the same time, the faint wail of sirens drifted to their ears. The police were on their way, but Remus wasn't relieved. Anything could happen before they got there.

What - I - what happ - oh - Mrs. Black's legs were shaking.

Shut up, Adhara, her husband slurred through a mouthful of blood. I -

But he never finished. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed, shaking the whole house. Mrs. Black fainted. Regulus caught her before she hit the floor, his eyes the size of saucers. What - what's going on here?

Neither Sirius nor Remus responded. Outside, the sirens came to an abrupt halt, and footsteps sounded as a group of several police officers, headed by Moustache and Sideburns, dashed inside. Their eyes grew huge as they surveyed the scene. Moustache looked from Mr. Black's body to Sirius and Remus. Sirius had slumped against Remus' knee, unconscious. Remus himself was finding it hard to stay focused. Black roses kept blooming before his eyes. He shook his head irritably to try and clear it.

Holy - are you all right, lad? Moustache was kneeling beside him, looking anxiously into his face. Sideburns had dropped to the floor as well, and was holding Sirius' wrist, feeling for a pulse. More police officers, along with the paramedics, were arriving; some were trying to bring Mrs. Black around, others were beginning to question Regulus. Remus struggled to say something.

Sirius' dad - Mr. Black - he tried... he tried to... but he couldn't finish. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the encroaching darkness.

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Both boys were a long time recovering from the events of that afternoon. Sirius' ribs had been broken and he had suffered minor internal bleeding as well as two black eyes and bruises all over his body; he had lost one of his back teeth from one of his father's punches to his jaw. Remus' arm was broken in two places and would have to be in a cast for seven months; he was also badly bruised. However, the blow from Sirius' father had been lucky; it had only bruised his ribs rather than broken them.Remus and Sirius were in the hospital for several weeks. Visitors poured in - Remus' parents and siblings, Mrs. Black and Regulus, James, Lily, and Grace. The room the boys shared blossomed with all manner of plants and flowers, and friends sent heaps of sweets.

Once they were discharged from the hospital, they had to appear at court. They were far too tired to care that they were being tried for Cépheus Black's murder. They gave testimony on a hot, stuffy summer day to a courtroom packed with spectators, still bandaged, their bruises in different degrees of fading. They told the honest truth - that Mr. Black had kept beating them until Remus had managed to stab him. However, they didn't say where the knife had come from, and when asked by the persecution, merely shrugged and said they didn't know; Sirius' father must have brought it up with him. More witnesses, such as Cépheus' co-workers and friends, unknowingly supported the boys when they testified that Mr. Black had begun drinking heavily in the days before the attack, and drink turned him into a very violent person.

The jury concluded after Sirius and Remus' testimony, and after seeing what had happened to them, that what they had done was purely self-defense. Neither boy mentioned either Williams, O'Shea, or Mr. Black's suspicions. Both would take the secret of the murders to the grave.

Later that week, the police dismissed both Williams' and O'Shea's deaths as a result of misadventure, operating on the lack of any concrete evidence or probable suspects.

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You must be tired, lovey, Mrs. Lupin said, helping her son down the courthouse steps and into the car. Remus nodded. He was, in fact, utterly exhausted, and his arm was aching quite a bit. He wanted nothing better than to get home, take a pain-pill and go to bed. He raised his eyes to where his father was talking with Mrs. Black. Sirius was standing beside his mother, looking glum, a cigarette in the corner of his mouth. He looked up, saw Remus watching him, and went over to talk to him.

Okay, love?

Remus said softly. He reached out to touch Sirius' cheek. Are you?

About as okay as I can be after something like this. Sirius sighed as his mother joined them.

Are you all right, Remus? Concern was etched on her face. Remus tried his best to smile for her.

Yes, ma'am.

She pulled a hanky from her purse and dabbed at her eyes with it, and leaned down. Thank you, she whispered, before straightening up and saying good-bye to the Lupins. Sirius stuck his head in the window to brush a kiss across Remus' lips; then he turned to follow his mother. Remus watched as they joined Regulus and climbed into a cab. He had a feeling that Mrs. Black had been thanking him for a lot more than she realised. He hoped she'd be much happier now, with her brute of a husband no longer around to hurt her or her sons.

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A week after the trial, the Blacks were invited to dinner at the Lupins'. Remus smiled as he watched his lover come up the walk. Sirius' bruises were almost gone, and the doctors had told him they would be taking the bandages off his ribs in a few days. He looked much happier, and was smiling when he entered the parlour, shaking Mr. Lupin's hand and kissing Mrs. Lupin on the cheek. Then Sirius joined Remus across the room, where his lover was seated in an enormous armchair. He and Remus kissed.

Missed you, Sirius whispered.

I missed you too, Remus whispered back.

How's the old arm?

Hurts. Like hell. But I can manage.

Sirius smiled. he murmured. You were - so brave that day. If you hadn't done what you did, I probably wouldn't be standing here right now. He held out a hand and helped Remus to his feet.

You're very welcome, darling, Remus whispered, squeezing Sirius' hand as they followed everyone into the dining room.

Over dessert, Mrs. Black surprised them all by mentioning that she was thinking of returning to Germany. My whole family is there, she said. There's no one here in England we have to worry about, with my husband gone - I want to return home.

Remus' stomach plummeted; Sirius would be leaving him? You can't go, he blurted out, forgetting his manners.

Mrs. Black smiled at him. There's nothing here for me, Remus. I see no point in staying. However - she cleared her throat and took a sip of water, her eyes meeting her elder son's over the rim of her glass - Sirius will be staying, I believe.

Siri - Remus looked at his lover, who was blushing.

he said softly. I'm staying. When my uncle Alphard heard what happened, and what Mum wanted to do, and how I felt, he sent me a lot of money. Enough to get my own place, at least, with some left over. So, I... he felt uncharacteristically nervous, especially with everyone staring at him. I just wondered if... you'd like to come live with me.

Remus blinked in surprise, looking quickly at his mother and father. They didn't look opposed to the idea; in fact, they were smiling. Mrs. Black was, as well. Remus couldn't help but smile himself as Sirius came around the table and put his arms around him. Yes, Siri, he murmured. Yes, I'll come live with you.

The room broke out into applause and laughter as the two boys kissed.

To Be Continued...

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(A/N : Happy Birthday to me! Today, June 16, is my 20th birthday. Happy day.

Yes! To Be Continued! You didn't think I could just end it there, did you? I suppose I could have, but I'm not going to. Ha ha!

Now to apologize for the violence and for any discrepancies involving Britain's legal system. I don't live there, so I have no idea how they deal with murder trials across the pond. Forgive me, please?

More Prisoner of Azkaban movie stuff! Some of you mentioned Ron and the spiders - The spiders... they want me to tap dance... I don't want to tap dance!' - that part was another of my favourites. I loved the picture of James and Lily that was on Harry's bedside table, the one where they were dancing... it was just too cute.... I also liked the part when Remus, Harry, and Snape were finished discussing the Marauder's Map and the painting yelled at Snape to turn off the light on his wand. But what really got me was the clothing! For most of the movie, everyone wandered around in Muggle clothes! I thought that was stupid, and Hermione's jeans ticked me off. I know a skirt isn't really practical to wear when you're running around like they did; but I always pictured Hermione as a strictly skirts and dresses kind of person. Hmm, what else? Sirius' robes ticked me off too, he was in a plain black-and-white-striped convict thing with some robes over the lot. And his tattoos! I've never pictured Siri as being so tattooed! Okay, someone help me - those tattoos on his chest. I heard a rumour online that they stand for ass' and conjunction' (try to tell ME he's not gay!), can anyone out there back this up? Or do they mean something else? I'm really curious, so if you can help me, please do!

And please, please - anyone who's drawn pictures for this story, I would like it very much if you would send them to me! I'm on my knees here! I'd love to see anything anyone has drawn!)