IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTE: I have just two short comments before the story resumes, one, I am looking for a beta reader so if anyone knows how to get in contact with one let me know, and two I am correcting an error I made previously, Remus and the others are going into 4th year when this story begins and are between the ages of thirteen and fourteen. Thank you and on to the fiction.
Disclaimer: see previous chapter.
Chapter 3: Open the Door
Sirius shuffled along the cement path leading up to the Lupin's house, holding his broomstick tightly, and habitually bringing his hand down to hover over the wand in his pocket. It was already mid July and the sun was peaking out shyly over the clouds.
It was so quiet the fourteen year old could hear his own nervous breathing as he walked up the hill to the small, off-white cottage that sat stonily atop.
He had only been there once before to pick Remus up and take him to his own house last summer. His parents hadn't been overly pleased, they had never heard the Lupin name (Remus' father was a muggle and his mother was a witch) which more than likely meant he wasn't a pure blood.
In fact if Sirius remembered correctly after that fiasco the group had decided it would be best to meet at james' or Peter's from that point on.
Sometimes Sirius couldn't even stand his name, and the household being a Black landed him in. "damn gits." He whispered out, spitting at the ground for emphasis.
Sirius looked up to find himself face to face with the old wooden door to the house, a brass doorknocker staring him down. Taking a breath Sirius reached to knock on the door, he had never met the Lupins but he needed to speak with them now.
He needed to know Remus was ok and that the string of letters sent back to him were a mistake. That Remus was fine, and that come September moony would be joining them.
James looked blankly out the window of his house, eyes glazed and hair in its usual state of disarray. He hadn't pulled a prank in more days than he cared to count and without Sirius, Remus or Peter around he was bored stiff.
James ignored his mothers call from upstairs, more than likely it was another attempt to keep him busy and out of trouble. Mrs. Potters version of "out of trouble" usually consisted of chores. At her second call James quickly scribbled a note on a piece of parchment and stuck it to the wall. By her third call James threw down the quill and sprinted towards the door, grabbing his broom on the way out.
He needed some excitement, and peter, living the closest was going to help provide it.
Sirius reached for the door knocker only to feel his hand connect with only air. In front of him stood a tired looking woman of about 40 with dark brown curls, pulled back loosely and Remus' green- brown eyes, although they seemed to be lacking Remus' gold flecked intensity, making them appear lackluster. Her voice was soft and nervous as she greeted him and introduced herself as Gretchen. She wore a plain dress and an apron and her features were plain. "who is it Gretchen?" a deep voice called from farther back in the house.
"my name is Sirius" Sirius stated calmly.
"I was wondering if Remus is home."
There was some rustling from the back of the house and a large broad shouldered man appeared behind Gretchen, and extended his hand stiffly.
"I'm john, and Remus is not here." Sirius noticed the way the man stiffened as he said it, while boring holes into Sirius with his eyes.
He had lighter hair like Remus, although he kept it cropped too short to see the texture, he had dark brown eyes though and was much more filled out than his son, although by Remus' lanky frame it appeared they might one day share the same height.
Sirius took a breath and began to form his answer, not one to give up easily. "may I wait for him here.?"
He was half way between running and smiling as he saw a vein begin to bulge in the side of Mr.Lupin's head. He looked like McGonagall, after he had just lost Gryffindor another 20 points.
Gretchen stepped in quickly, desperately trying to diffuse the situation. "I, I thought it would be best if Remus lived somewhere else, somewhere more suited to handle his, his....affliction.
Sirius' jaw dropped, "where is he?" he blurted out, they had given away their son...they had given moony away, like some sort of house pet that had torn up the sofa.
"Well, I believe he is at a ministry run compound for children of his... kind." Mrs.Lupin stuttered out quickly.
Sirius felt sick to his stomach. Never having been one for subtly he shared his opinion quickly. "of his kind, OF HIS KIND! He is our kind! What the bloody hell!" Sirius blurted out, then followed it up with a quick string of curses, most of which were said to a closed door, as it had been slammed in his face.
He was left screaming at the old brass knocker for the better half of five minutes before he regained a semblance of control.
Sirius turned on his heel and left without looking back.
Peter was surprised when James had shown up at his house that afternoon, if not pleased, and the two had made the most of the day. On the other hand when Sirius Black landed hard in his front yard, destroying his mother's flowers. His black hair tousled and gray eyes flashing with rage, he was terrified. Until he realized his friends rage was not directed towards him. James ran up quickly, clapping Sirius on the back, until he noticed his tall friends expression.
"What's wrong Sirius?" James questioned softly.
He wasn't new to seeing a raging, cursing Sirius appear suddenly on his doorstep. But he wasn't used to the silent rage that griped his friend right then.
"he's gone James" Sirius said flatly. "and I'll be damned if I am just going to sit on my arse and do nothing."
"I don't understand Sirius." James questioned carefully.
"Remus, he's gone, not at home, the ministry has him, dammit James! Don't be thick!" peter winced back and as Sirius focused his once pent up anger on his friend, then quickly turned against the already mashed flower bed, kicking up dirt.
"I'm sorry James...I didn't mean it..." Sirius said looking at the ground and sighing.
James nodded in acknowledgment of the apology. "it's alright Siri." James was alright with Sirius' outbursts, it's how his friend has always handled things, either that or he tried to laugh them off. Neither of the responses phased James anymore.
Peter slowly inched closer and put a tentative hand on Sirius' shoulder. Despite his shyness peter was usually good with words, and using them to turn a bad situation into a profitable one, which was always helpful, but he tended to back down to anger, especially if the source was Sirius. It was almost as if he was afraid of his taller friend on some level, James mused casually.
Together the three marauders walked towards Peter's front porch and settled down on the steps. Peter ran quickly inside returning with a tray of cookies and James silently thanked him as he began to slowly formulate a plan in his head.
The three boys talked until the stars began to dot the scarlet sky and Mrs. Pettigrew called them in for super.