Disclaimer: Don't own the characters or the Harry Potter world.
Scene/time change
Thoughts
Flashbacks
"He's not in his room!"
"Oh god."
"Moony what're we going to do?" Peter paced the room. "He's been acting strangely for a few days now."
Remus frowned. "He said that he'd seen Sirius last week." Remus looked up at Peter, who'd stopped pacing. "I really don't think he'll ever be the same old James, Peter."
Peter sighed sadly. "He seemed to be doing so well." He sat down on Remus' desk.
"He'll come back, Peter, he always does."
They sat in silence, each hoping that he would and that he'd be ok when he returned.
A playground
Its daytime visitors had long since deserted the playground. The sun had faded from the sky leaving behind a large, silver half moon floating in the still black night. However, the park wasn't completely empty; the silence was broken by the occasional creak of an old rusty swing. Its occupant was lost in thought, creaking backwards and forwards in an almost insane manner whilst twisting his wand in his hands.
I have to make Remus and Peter believe me, but how? James frowned Moony'll be the hardest one to convince. But there is a way. Yes, there's always a way. He creaked back and forth like a senile old man in a rocking chair. He stopped suddenly in mid swing. Of course! He smiled insanely I'll take Sirius to then! Then they'll have to believe me! He got up off the swing I'll wait until morning and take him to Peter's house. He frowned again and sat back down on the swing. But how? Sirius won't come with me, he made that clear when I last saw him. James recommenced his rocking. I'll have to kidnap him…I'll stun him! No. I'll use a portkey! Yes, it's all falling into place. I'll wait for Moony and Wormtail to come home then all will be well. Satisfied with his plan, James got up and dissapparated home to plot some more.
York
Sirius was leaning against the door watching Eloise pack for the French trip, completely oblivious to what lay in store for him.
"There! All done. No Trix you're not coming." Eloise picked up the silver tabby and handed him to Sirius. She picked up her bag and dumped it in the back of the car.
"You guys had better bring me something nice back." Trix jumped from Sirius' arms.
"Of course we will Si." Eloise assured him.
Mark looked at his watch. "We'd better get going guys."
They clambered into the car with Sirius in the drivers' seat. A short drive later found them next to a racecourse. They weren't the first ones there, a group of tired and cold looking students had gathered near the coach. The crowd grew as the students turned up. Sirius looked around, counting heads. He nodded at Eloise and shivered. I swear I'm being watched. He looked around and shook his head. Must be imagining things.
Eloise joined him with Jason and Dominic in tow. "Simon."
He looked at her and then at the two troublesome boys and sighed.
Eloise smiled. "I'll see you in two weeks." She leaned in "and please don't do anything stupid." She smiled and got onto the coach.
Sirius shook his head, smiling. "Ok guys what did you do?" They looked at each other then back at Sirius. "Jason, Dominic." he fixed them with a stern look.
They gulped. "Well we sorta…brought these." they handed Sirius some deflated balloons.
Sirius took then and pocketed them. "I'm not going to lecture you but I will tell you to behave yourselves or face the consequences. Got it?" they nodded. "Get on the coach. I don't want to hear any horror stories about you two when you get back, understood?"
"Yes sir." They chorused and got onto the coach.
Sirius watched as the coach pulled out and set off on the long journey to Paris. A whole week of marking to look forward to. Joy. Thought Sirius as he walked back to the car. He was too lost in his thoughts to notice the shadow watching him from behind a tree.
James watched as Sirius told off the two boys, he smiled. Water bombs. What an original idea. He waited until Sirius saw the bus off before following him to the car. James pulled out the book and walked up to Sirius. "Hey again."
Sirius looked up and narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Oh no, it's bad enough that he's been following me but does he have to confront me? "Hi." answered Sirius suspiciously.
"I just wondered if you'd like to read this." James handed out the book.
Sirius eyed it suspiciously. Ok, if I take it he might leave. "Thanks." he took hold of it and felt a familiar tug at his navel. FUCK!
Meanwhile with Remus and Peter.
Remus paced up and down the front room. "Sit down Moony, you're making me dizzy." sighed Peter, rubbing at his temples.
Remus threw himself down. "Sorry Wormtail."
They both fell silent, letting the radio take over the room. The waves of music fell on deaf ears of the two who were lost in thought.
Peter stirred. "Where did he go last week? You know, the day we moved in?"
Remus frowned. "York I think. Do you think he might be there?"
Peter shrugged "Worth a try."
The two marauders got up, retrieved their coats and apparated away to York. Moments later, two other marauders dropped into the room.
Sirius instantly let go of the book and backed away, his eyes never leaving James' face. James carefully put the book down and faced Sirius. Sirius growled and jumped at James, knocking him to the ground. James struggled on top, pinned Sirius to the floor and pulled out his wand. Sirius froze and eyed the wand fearfully.
"Just listen and stay still." James panted. Sirius nodded and James got off him, still pointing his wand at Sirius who quickly rolled over and dashed to the door. James groaned and chased after him. "Stupefy!" Sirius fell to the ground. James levitated him into the room and tied him to a chair before waking him up. James kept his wand trained on Sirius, who was struggling to untie the bonds that restrained him. "You won't escape now Sirius!" James grinned insanely.
Sirius shivered. "My name is Simon. SIMON FELLOWES!" he yelled. "Let me go you insane, deluded idiot!" Way to go Si, insult him why don't you. Do you want to die?
James shook his head. "You're the insane deluded one Sirius!" James started pacing. "You must know the truth…you have to remember!"
Sirius watched him ramble. He's totally lost his marbles! He struggled against the rope. Too tight! I have to escape!
"You're tied too tightly, Sirius, and even if you do escape I can stun you again."
Sirius frowned. He's got a point there; I guess I'll have to distract him until someone comes. "Mr Potter…"
"James."
"Uh right…James. How about I promise not to escape if you untie me?"
James smiled. "I know what you're up to Sirius and it's not working. I'm keeping you tied up until Remus and Peter come back. Then we'll see who's insane!"
Keep him talking Simon, maybe Remus and Peter will set me free. He really needs help.
"Do you remember Remus and Peter, Sirius?" James looked hopefully at him. He has to remember something!
"Should I?"
"Come on Sirius! Don't you remember? We were all friends at Hogwarts."
Sirius looked at him blankly. "Hogwarts?" I've heard of that place.
James looked amazed. "Yeah Hogwarts. Surely Voldemort or his minions must have told you about it."
Sirius' face darkened. "It's his fault." he growled.
A spark of hope ignited in James' eyes. He remembers his time there? He must remember something of us. I don't think Voldemort would have let us go unsaid. James pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Sirius. "Voldemort's fault?"
Sirius looked at James suspiciously. "He made you kidnap me, didn't he?"
James nearly fell of his chair in shock. "Wha…What? No! What makes you think that I work for him?"
"Well I can't think of any other reason." Sirius' flickered to James' right arm. "Or, what Voldemort said was true and you're holding me hostage."
James' eyes narrowed. "What did he say?" Sirius glanced at his right arm again, James saw this. "What is it Sirius?"
"Roll up your right sleeve."
James frowned in confusion but did so. Sirius leaned round. No mark. He can't be working for Voldemort.
"Sirius?"
"Voldemort's 'minions' have a skull and crossbones with a snake coming out of it's mouth tattooed on their arm."
"The Dark Mark." James whispered. "How'd you know where it is?" Sirius looked away. "Sirius?" James' eyes went wide. He hasn't. James rolled Sirius' sleeve up and gasped.
"I didn't want it…I didn't even know what he was doing…WAIT A MINUTE!" Sirius looked closely at James. It is the same guy!
"What?" James back away slightly. "What is it?"
"I've duelled with you…well not exactly duelled."
"Wha…When? I'd remember if I duelled with you?"
Sirius shook his head. "I was masked. We were at a village and you caught me trying to escape. You asked me to give up my wand before you were blasted."
James frowned in concentration. "I think…Yes I remember now. That was a couple of weeks after you'd disappeared."
"That makes sense. It was a couple of weeks after that mysterious meeting with Voldemort."
James leaned forward." What happened?" He asked excitedly.
"Don't get too excited. All I remember is him telling Malfoy to take me to my room."
"What about before? How you came to be in the room?"
Sirius shook hi head. "No. Everything is just black before that." James groaned and buried his head in his hands. Sirius watched him in concern. I've seen him before that duel, I know I have. I can't put my finger on it though. "If it makes you feel any better, I can definitely say that I've seen you somewhere before. It just won't click."
A snap made them both jump. James got to his feet, wand at the ready. He put it back into his pocket with a smile when he recognised the voices. He went to the door and almost bumped into Remus.
"Prongs!" he looked relieved. "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for…" he stopped when he saw Sirius and all the colour drained from his face. "S Sirius?" he stuttered, grabbing the doorframe for support.
"What is it?" Peter looked over Remus' shoulder and jumped back with a startled squeak. "Sirius!"
James folded his arms. "I told you he wasn't dead!" he waved his arm at a thoroughly confused looking Sirius. "Can you deny it now? HUH?"
Sirius sighed. And we're back to the insane ranting. He cleared his throat. "Excuse me. " He said. "HELLO? TIED UP PERSON HERE!" he yelled above James' rants.
Remus shook his head. He's really alive. He pushed past James and untied Sirius.
James dropped to his knees and clutched his head. "NOOOOO!" Peter and Remus exchanged worried looks. "NOW HE'LL ESCAPE AND WE'LL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN!"
Peter shook him. "You can't keep him tied up forever Prongs!" he dragged James to a chair and sat him down. "If we ask him nicely he might stay." Peter sent a pleading look at Sirius.
Sirius looked from Remus to Peter and at a very distressed James. What are the chances of three people in a row? I'm sure I know them. "Of course I'll stay. I want to know who I really am and I'm sure that you three know."
Remus and Peter looked at each other. "You don't remember us?" asked Peter.
Sirius shook his head. "I remember talking to Voldemort and that's it."
Remus patted his back in reassurance. "We'll help you, Sirius."
Peter nodded. "I'm sure I've got some old photos I can dig out."
James looked up from his hands. "Is he staying then?"
Peter nodded. "Yeah Prongs. Why don't we go and find that trunk of old photos and stuff?" James nodded and followed Peter out of the room.
"I'll go and make a round of cuppas." Remus smiled at Sirius before leaving the room.
Sirius looked around him. Well, this promises to be interesting. He got up and looked out of the window onto the deserted village street beyond the smooth, cold glass. I hope they can help me remember who I am. Thought Sirius as he pressed his forehead against the cool windowpane.
A bright, silver half moon rose in the darkening sky passing the ruby red sun on its way up into the heavens. The trees waved gently in the slight northern breeze but none of this registered with the dark haired man standing at the window. Sirius smiled. Looks like things are looking up.
Sorry about that folks! I was going to put it up on and then I noticed some ahem errors. Sorry to dissappoint you guys looks apologetically at Forrest Chapter 6 will be up soon, minus any errors!
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Ohhh before I forget, who wants me to write a version where Sirius joins Voldemort? Send replies via reviews or email THANKS GUYS!