CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Homecoming
Sirius awoke early the next day, before the sun rose in fact. He barged into the rooms of James and Remus, leaping on their beds and rousing them from sleep.
"Bugger off!" cried James, reaching for his glasses on the night stand. "What time is it anyway? Is it today? Or is it still yesterday?"
Sirius frowned and swung his legs over the bedside. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. But get dressed. We have to get going."
"Where are we going, Padfoot?"
"Where are we going?" he repeated. "To free me from the cold, hard vice grip that is my family. To rid me of further years of--"
"Alright, I remember. You know, you really can be overly dramatic at times."
Sirius got to his feet. "When I come back into this room-- you, James Potter --will be dressed and ready to enter into the pits of hell."
"Right, that right there is what I'm talking about."
He closed the door behind himself and ventured to Remus' room. The drapes were completely drawn, shutting out any traces of light.
"Moony, wake up."
His friend sat straight up. "I am, I mean I have. Are you feeling alright? Sure you want to do this, mate?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes."
"And you're just as sure that I should come?" chuckled Remus. "After all, your parents don't look kindly upon me."
"I wouldn't take it personally. After all, no one's as good as they are, right?"
"Right. Well, are we leaving soon?"
"Yeah, as soon as James and Worm wake up." He sat wearily on the edge of the bed, picking absentmindedly at the blanket. "Er.. I want to thank you for... all of this. You know, coming with me."
"Right, well... you're my friend. My best friend, really." Remus answered softly. "I'd do anything for you, you know that."
"Except letting me date your sister."
He sighed. "I'm... over that. I am. And the more I think of it, the more I realize James was right. I do rather it was you then anyone else."
"So then, you're really okay with us?" he grinned.
"Yes. Truthfully this time. Because I know you wouldn't dare hurt her."
"You're right."
Sirius got up and went to shake his friend's hand. Remus instead pulled him into an embrace.
He patted his back. "Okay, I have to focus on the job at hand. Getting in and out of enemy headquarters as quickly as possible."
"I'll be downstairs in five minutes. I just need to dress and wash up a bit."
Sirius obliged and left for Pete's room. His mousy friend was tangled up within the sheets, his head at the foot of his bed. He smiled fondly and nudged him awake.
Pete wiped a hand over his face. "Is it morning? Are we leaving?"
"Yep. You don't have to come if you don't like."
Pete dove across the floor and threw back the curtains, letting light flood in. "I want to, I'm ready."
"Thanks Petey." he answered, patting him on the back. "Though I'm sure you have no idea what you're getting yourself into."
"You're family can't be as terrible as you make them out to be." chuckled Pete. "No one is that bad."
He threw him a look. "You obviously haven't met my mum."
"I'll be down in a bit."
Sirius left his friend and started down the stairs. He decided to have a bite to eat before he left and made his way into the kitchen.
Ophelia was slumped over the counter, a glass of banana juice next to her.
"Good morning." said Sirius, sitting down next to her.
She sleepily looked around. "Sirius. Morning."
"What are you doing down here? Couldn't sleep?"
"I knew you would try sneaking away before seeing me and I wanted to give you something." she answered.
"Oh? And what would that be?" smirked Sirius.
Ophelia rolled her eyes. "Nothing like that." She reached round the neck of her housecoat and unclasped her necklace. "It is a protection stone, right? Well, I figure you'll need it today."
He grinned. "I thought you were never going to take it off."
"There are always exceptions. And you'll have to give it back once you return."
"Of course. Now go back to bed." said Sirius. "At least one of his should be able to enjoy their day."
She hopped off her stool and kissed him on the forehead. "Good luck."
"Thanks," he replied dryly. "I'll need it."
"And stop feeling sorry for yourself!" she called over her shoulder as she returned to her bedroom.
Sirius helped himself to a rosy peach and was finished when the rest of the Marauders joined him in the kitchen.
James looked around disapprovingly. "What? You didn't make us breakfast?"
"Real nice, Prongs." said Remus, shoving him towards the sitting room.
"Who wants to go first?"
They all looked to Sirius.
He heaved his shoulders. "Fine. I guess I'll be going then."
Sirius slowly ducked into the fireplace and raised his fist and muttered, "Number Twelve Grimmauld Place."
He let the powder fall through his fingers and soon afterwards felt himself spinning out of control.
When he opened his eyes, he was standing in the all too familiar dining room. The flickering candles were low, a sure sign that the occupants of the house were still fast asleep.
In procession, James, Remus and Pete tumbled out from the grate, and hastily brushed themselves off.
"So, er, this is your house..." stuttered Pete, glancing round at the severed elves' heads on the walls.
"Yes," replied Sirius grimly. "Welcome to the Noble House of Black."
"I-I can see how others... might find this appealing"
He quietly led them up the stairs; past the door where Regulus' snores echoed into the hallway, and to his room.
Once inside, they were faced with pictures of Remus, James and Ophelia from when they were kids, and later photos with the inclusions of Pete, Lily and Talia.
The floor was spotless, as everything was stowed safely away in either closets or trunks.
"What exactly do you need to bring to my house?" asked James, picking up a frame that held an attractive red-haired girl. "It looks like you already have most of your things."
Sirius began placing dusty books and spinning bronze instruments into an empty chest. "Yes, but I don't want anything that even holds a remote value to me to be left in this house. Everything must go."
"How 'bout this?" asked Pete, picking up a purple-coloured sack, which contents seemed to be moving about in the bag.
He took it and deftly chucked it into the hallway. "Not that."
Remus gingerly pulled back a chemise curtain and peered out of the grimy window. "The sun's coming up." he remarked.
The Black's numerous elves could be heard pacing around the house, readying the meals and such, before it was time for the family to wake.
Sirius closed the trunk and let out a heavy sigh. "We're done. That didn't take as long as I had expected."
"Locomotor trunk." muttered James.
Just as they had entered, they left in the same quiet manner. Travelling in a single line, they made their way down the stairs.
As they turned into the dining room, Mrs Black bellowed an order to a servant from her room.
They ignored the commotion and carried on.
Aurelius Black was sitting at the table, the Daily Prophet propped up in front of him. He looked up from his paper.
"Sirius." he said, his voice sounding more than a little confused. "What are you doing here? We weren't expecting you at all over break."
"I'm leaving." he said boldly.
His father stared back at him before slowly nodding his head. "I see. Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later."
"It was?" frowned Sirius.
"Yes." answered Aurelius, getting to his feet. "You're not like... us."
"Where is that little rat?" screeched Hecate Black, as she descended the stairs. "Laying in bed all day long, as if we don't have enough to be done around here."
He exchanged a look with his son and moved out of their way. "Go. I won't tell your mother just yet."
Sirius couldn't find any reply within him, only a slight smile. "Bye."
"Good-bye."
{A/N: I apologise whole-heartedly about the time it took to get this rather short chapter posted. I blame it on my dear Talia moving away to university and my rather selfish need of wanting to soak up as much time with her as I possibly can. Hah, I'm so melodramatic. Since school is beginning next week, I'm going to update several times a week, on specific days. I'll let you all know when they are in Chapter Thirty-Seven, which should be posted on Sunday or Monday. You can all breathe a huge sigh of relief as most of you questions about Talia's mysterious behaviour will be explained, as well as the unexpected arrival of Mai. Wow, am I rambling. As always, thanks for your incredible reviews, and I'll love it even more if you keep them up ;) }
