DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter does not in any way, shape, or form belong to me. I merely steal J.K. Rowling's world and twist it to suit my needs (heh heh).

Part II A Mother's Tears

Four years later when the horror of the incident had faded, Sirius' curiosity got the best of him. He decided to look for Petunia. He knew that if anyone had found out where he was going, they would feel honor bound to report him to Mr. and Mrs. Black. Sirius knew that his mother had to make social calls the next morning and, as Regulus was the same age as her friends' children, she was bringing him as well. While his father was at work and his mother and brother were visiting, he would sneak out.

In the oppressive silence of the empty house, Sirius walked tensely to his bedroom window. He climbed down the ivy winding up the walls of his ancient home, careful to avoid the watchful gaze of the house elves.

When Sirius' feet felt the ground beneath him at last, he sighed in relief. His uncanny memory served him again as he found his way to Petunia's house.

Alden Evans heard a timid knock on his front door and opened it to find a ten year old boy looking up at him.

"Hello, Mr. Evans. Is Petunia home?"

"May I tell her who is here?"

"Sirius Black. You don't remember me? I visited Petunia three years ago and you walked me home." Alden Evans' eyes lit in remembrance.

"Oh, yes! Please come in!" Alden ushered Sirius inside. "Petunia! Come down! Someone's here to see you!"

Petunia ran down the stairs and looked curiously at Sirius.

"I've been practicing skipping rope!" Sirius exclaimed excitedly. "Can I show you?" The two newly acquainted friends went outside and Sirius began demonstrating earnestly.

A sudden rustle in the bushes caused him to stop. He motioned for Petunia to be quiet as he silently walked to the bushes. To Petunia's shock, he reached in and pulled out a struggling creature. Sirius didn't seem surprised.

"Did you follow me here, Kreacher?"

The thing squirmed and nodded. Sirius swore loudly and threw the thing into the bush. As he turned around, a loud crack sounded through the air. He swore again and said, "I have to go! I don't think I can ever see you again." He hurriedly hugged her and said, "Goodbye!" Sirius walked quickly away and started running. She was never to see him again.

When he reached his house, his mother was waiting for him. She grabbed his arm and roughly dragged him inside.

"What did I tell you about Muggles?" she screamed. "Fortunately, I told Kreacher to watch you all these years. Your brother would never have done something as idiotic as this!"

She pulled him into the parlor and glared at the fireplace. Immediately, a roaring fire decimated the logs and crackled ominously. As Bellatrix's mother had done countless times, as Sirius' mother swore she would never do to her beloved sons, she murmured a charm to keep Sirius from scarring but allowing pain.

"Imperio."

Sirius' mind blissfully blanked as his mother's voice filled his head. 'Walk into the fire.' He felt his mind attempt a resistance, but his legs wouldn't listen. He slowly walked towards the devouring flames and stepped in.

He screamed in unison with his mother; identical tears streamed down their faces. Her tears were the last thing he saw before he fell into unconsciousness.

He woke with a tearstained face in the same room as he had four years previously. His mother was once again waiting quietly.

"I'm sorry, Sirius, but I have to do this." Sirius' mother cast the Disillusionment charm on him, and then the full body bind.

She called to the door, "Bring it in."

He saw his father bring in Petunia lying limp in his arms. He laid her on the ground.

"Ennervate."

Petunia woke with a gasp and looked around the small room. Sirius could see the fear in her eyes.

"Who are you? What's going on?" she asked apprehensively.

"We are Sirius Black's parents. Do you remember him?" She nodded her head nervously. His mother smiled unpityingly. "Did you like him?" Petunia nodded again. "Would you like to see him again?" Petunia nodded silently. "That's a shame. Crucio!"

Petunia screamed and writhed in agony. His parents tortured her for what seemed like hours. Finally, they stopped.

"Obliviate."

"Stupefy," Petunia's face was wiped clean of her pain as Sirius' mother stunned her.

"I'll take her home." Sirius' father offered. Mrs. Black nodded as Sirius' father disapparated, holding Petunia limp in his strong arms.

Mrs. Black walked to where Sirius stood and said, "That was your final warning. Never speak to a Muggle again or there will be deaths next. And if you disobey me and ever see her again, she will remember this. The memory charm was strong enough to keep the memories away, but if she sees any reminder, she will remember." She left the room after lifting the Disillusionment Charm and the Body Bind.

Once again, Sirius was fed once a day until his parents took him to Diagon Alley for school supplies. At Platform 9 ¾, his mother hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear, "Always wear clean knickers, stay away from Mudbloods, and never, ever forget that I love you.