A/N: Ok, I'm really sorry that it took me so long to update. It was a combination of family problems and being busy. Also I had an inspiration when I was babysitting and I wrote part of my story on scrap sheet of paper and then I lost it. So I had to rewrite part of it and it took me awhile to motivate myself to do that.
I originally wanted this chapter to be the one that sparks Sirius's and James's friendship. But alas, it will be in the next chapter because it would have been too long to read (though the rough draft of that is already written). I'm hoping to make their transition into friendship believable.
Anyway, on with the chapter and I thank all my readers for sticking with this story:
There were trees all around. The blue sky above was quickly darkening. The trees loomed overhead, and then increased in height, growing upward endlessly toward the midnight sky.
Their branches stretched forward, the leaves dancing in an ominous glow. The trees closed in blocking the blackening sky purposely, until only one thing could be seen up above: a ball of silvery-white light.
The wind rustled the leaves causing the shadows to jump; darting in and out of the unknown.
There was a noise, a scratching, scuffling sound.
It came from in front of him, no from behind him, to his left, no to his right, he turned, and….
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
A scream shattered the night air. Sirius bolted out of his bed. Another scream of terrifying intensity and Sirius realized it was coming from Lupin's bed. Potter had been awakened and was fumbling for his glasses. He put them on and their eyes met. A wall of awkwardness formed between them.
"No! NO! Get away from me!"
The wall began to break, a few bricks tumbling down. Both boys ran half stumbling in the dark toward Lupin's bed. Potter reached him first and began whispering, "Wake up, Remus! Wake up!"
"No! Ahhhhh! NO!"
Sirius joined Potter, "Lupin! Wake up!" He raised his voice and Potter had placed a hand on Lupin, now shaking him gently.
"Get away! No! NO!"
Remus was tossing and turning. His sheets tangled in a mess, his body trembling, his face contorted in fear.
"LEAVE ME ALONE! NO! PLEASE GET AWAY!"
Lupin sounded out of breath and his voice was getting hoarse.
"Come on mate! Wake up! Remus! Wake up!" Potter's voice was getting both louder and more desperate with each word.
"NO! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"
Their shaking became harder and now they were both practically (yelling as loud as Lupin's screams).
Then just as it seemed Lupin would never awaken. He'd be stuck in this terrible dream state forever, he sat up abruptly. He looked around disoriented and his fists gripped his sheet tightly as if to steady himself.
"Should I get McGonagall?" Cory Connor asked. It was then Sirius finally noticed Connor, who had gotten out of bed and was halfway out the door, apparently in the process of getting help. He also noticed Peter on his bed, legs crossed.
"You were having a nightmare," Potter explained.
"Should I-" Cory began again.
"No!" Lupin said forcefully, and then more quietly, "No, I'm ok. I'll be ok."
Sirius had never seen anyone look so pale before and Remus had sweat glistening on his face.
"You were screaming and yelling in your sleep, we couldn't wake you up," Sirius said in order to explain his presence.
"I'm sorry I woke you guys up."
"I'll get you a glass of water," Cory announced. He obviously needed to do something. When he returned, they all watched in silence as Lupin gulped down the water.
"Are you alright?" Potter questioned, "Do you have these nightmares often?"
"Yes I'm alright. And I've had these nightmares before. The best thing for me to do is go right back to sleep. I mean…everyone has nightmares."
"Not like that," Sirius remarked.
"I'm fine. Thanks for the water Cory. And I'm sorry my dream woke everyone up. You can all go back to bed. I'm ok."
Cory nodded, headed for bed and Pettigrew lay back down turning his body away from Lupin's bed.
"You sure?" Potter asked his expression remained worried, "You sounded so…"
"It's a dream. It's not real. I'm fine. I'll be asleep in no time."
Potter forced a smile, "Goodnight," and went back to bed.
Sirius wasn't sure why he continued to stand there. Remus looked at him thoughtfully.
"I'm tired, Sirius. You can go to sleep now too. I'm fine."
"What were you running from? What was chasing you?" Sirius asked suddenly.
"Nothing. It was nothing," Remus said but his eyes drifted to his bed while saying these last words, "Goodnight."
Sirius walked back to his bed and muttered, "Sweet dreams."
!!!!
It hadn't happened in awhile and yet it was inevitable that it would eventually happen. There was too much at stake for it to be left alone. A confrontation with his cousins would happen and there was no way or point in avoiding it. He hadn't been avoiding them and they did not frighten him. No, Narcissa and Bellatrix were avoiding him as if he were a disease.
In addition to this (another fact of his life he had no control over), Sirius was being watched. His two cousins observed him out of the corner of their eyes or through direct stares and glares. Their watch only occurred during mealtimes because they were too noble and important, to follow him around during the day, after all they were Blacks. So other Slytherins, particularly during classes, recorded his every move, their eyes always on him. Watching for any movement, any gesture, for any word that could prove he was becoming too Gryffindor. He was careful, but it grew tiresome and their opinion of him surprisingly didn't seem to matter as much.
So Sirius wasn't at all surprised when Narcissa and Bellatrix cornered him by a large willow tree. All students had been forced outside in the fresh crisp air during the afternoon break. Behind them, about four meters away a gang of Slytherins held conference, ready in an instant to back his cousins.
"Hello Sirius," Narcissa greeted him formally, her voice distant, "Alone again, I see."
"You wouldn't want me associating with my House, now would you?"
Bellatrix smirked and she gave her sister a knowing glance. Narcissa was the one to answer, "I suppose not. We are very glad you have taken our advice about cutting ties and distancing yourself from all blood traitors. Though, it wouldn't hurt you if you attempted to make allies in Slytherin."
"The Slytherins don't want anything to do with me," and he added silently – 'I don't want anything to do with them'
"At the very least you could partner with a Slytherin during Potions. If we must I can assign a Slytherin first year to the job. Now onto business, your mother and father haven't heard from you in awhile."
"I have nothing to write them. I've been doing what they want."
"Have you?" Bellatrix spat apparently not able to keep quiet anymore, "We are getting more and more reports of you talking with Gryffindors…even laughing with them. You are not to allow yourself to be associating with them like that!"
"I'm doing the best that I can. I only talk to them if its school related. I haven't made any friends with any of them. There is nothing for you to be worried about."
"They are sucking you in, Sirius. So slowly, you can't see it, but in a year…I wouldn't be surprised if…"
Narcissa did not let her finish, "Enough. Your mother sent us instructions that we must hand deliver to you. This way you cannot pretend that you never received them in the first place."
"Instructions? What sort of instructions?" Sirius asked dreading the answer.
"We need to counter the thoughts those Gryffindors have been putting in your impressionable mind. You'll receive two books in the post tomorrow. You are to read and write a summary of the key points."
"You- you can't be serious?"
"The first summary will be due in two weeks and the second in four weeks."
"I have enough work from school as it is. I don't have time to read – to read that rubbish."
"And you have just thoughtfully demonstrated the very reason you need this assignment. It's an outrage that you dare call our Pure-blood philosophy garbage. I always suspected and now I know that you never fully bought into our ideas. You would do the required work, read the books, memorize the assigned passages, but it never meant anything more to you then a string of words. But we haven't and we won't give up on you dear cousin, even if we have to continually force the truth down your throat everyday."
"And if I don't complete the assignment?" Sirius asked in a spur of the moment of recklessness.
"You are in enough hot water, without testing us. If you want to gamble on the consequences, so be it."
"The assignment is pointless. I haven't forgotten what I've learned. How could I? You've been educated in the same respect. I don't need to be reminded – I know it all."
"Really? Then explain why you don't even use the word Mudblood in front of your classmates. Are you suddenly concerned you might hurt someone's feelings?"
"No-no, I don't care about their feelings…"
Bellatrix wouldn't allow an explanation. He'd never used the term in order to hurt others – that was why the switch had been easy.
"You're more pathetic then our sister. We are your family, Sirius, whether you want it or not. The same blood runs through your veins as does ours. We only want what is best for you and you will see with time that we were right. Don't turn your back on the family. Don't choose the path you'll regret or I swear to you today that I personally will make sure you regret it." Bellatrix voice, her eyes, her posture all matched the iciness of her words.
Sirius wasn't sure what set off the gang of Slytherins, but they were rapidly approaching them. Bellatrix had practically yelled that last bit so maybe they figured their presence (if nothing else) would knock sense into him. A semi-circle trapped him and he was sized up. For many of them this was the first time for them to see him up close: the Black boy who had caused so much fuss in the Pure-blood community. A brute boy put his arms around Bellatrix's waist and together they sneered at him.
"Sirius, I don't believe you met my friend Rudolphus Lestrange. Last year he had detention for two months for hexing a Mudblood Hufflepuff so badly he was in the hospital for two weeks."
Lestrange grinned in fond memory.
Malfoy stepped forward lazily, "How has his manners been, Narcissa? We all know Gryffindors have a reputation of being rude."
"He was rather insolent. I'm beginning to believe this silly boy actually considers himself better then us," she said these words sweetly.
"Well he must be taught manners in Slytherin fashion…"
Sirius's hand shot inside his robe brandishing his wand instantly before his brain could tell him he could not win this duel. Every action has a reaction and in a split second another barrier made of wooden sticks now stood in his way.
"The boy believes he can win against us!" Malfoy crooned.
All around him they all began laughing and jeering. Then out of the deafening ring of laughter.
"Oy! Sirius! There you are!" the voice silenced and broke the circle.
"Great luck we found you," the voice continued and Lupin emerged followed by a reluctant Potter.
Lupin turned to Potter as if he wanted his agreement on their luck in locating Sirius. Potter was gazing at the scene with interest.
"Er- Right," he finally muttered.
"McGonagall is looking all over for you," Lupin added.
"Never seen her this mad. You better see her straight away."
Lupin and Potter magically walked unscathed through the seemingly impenetrable circle. They each took a hold of one of his arm and dragged him to safety without upsetting the guard. Sirius glanced back to see everyone staring at them, but no one made a move to stop them. Lupin and Potter finally let go of his arms when they were under the overhang. Potter let out an audible sigh of relief.
"Shouldn't we head to Professor McGonagall?" Sirius asked cautiously since neither boy made any movement.
Remus smiled, "Well you see…"
"Actually McGonagall isn't really looking for you," Potter turned with a half smile.
"What?!"
"We made that up," Lupin added.
"Made it up?" Sirius echoed exasperatedly.
"No need to thank us," Potter said now smiling.
"I wasn't about to! Why would you do a thing like that?! I didn't need saving."
"You don't need to get angry with us. We were only trying to help. Well it was Lupin's idea and he only wanted to save you from…"
"Don't you understand?! When my cousins find out you lied to them, to help me…well first they'll assume I was in on the scheme, which will translate that I have friends – Gryffindor friends…and secondly…"
"How would they find out?" Potter asked pointedly.
"Oh they will. They always do."
"If it's that much of a problem I'll go right up to them and tell them we aren't your friends," Potter said with grave seriousness, but Sirius could tell he was laughing at him. And there was absolutely nothing funny about this situation.
"Forget it. The damage is done." Sirius slumped down on the wall. Sirius refused to venture further outside and they wouldn't be allowed inside for another five minutes. Lupin and Potter followed his example and they sat in silence.
!!!
The books "Purity at its Finest: The Study of Wizard Genealogy" and "The Dangers of an Un-pure Race" had arrived by post the next day. He had to lug both books to Transfiguration class. Lupin who had chosen the seat next to him was very curious about his extra luggage. Sirius lied saying they were books his father had sent him about dark creatures, like how to kill vampires and werewolves. Thankfully this quickly quieted the boy, but throughout the lesson Sirius was most bothered by the fact that he was embarrassed to tell Lupin the true content of the books. He had never cared before what any of his roommates thought.
Later on that week, Sirius sprinted down the hallway. He was late for detention with Professor York for not following the proper cleaning instructions precisely. He wasn't paying attention as he rounded the corner and slammed into Lily Evans. Sirius muttered, "Sorry" as he dusted himself off. Lupin and Potter had been just behind her and Lupin helped Evans to her feet. Evans smiled at him. Then she bent down to help pick up the scattered books, papers, and quills, "Where were you off to in such a hurry?"
"Detention and I'm late."
"Here I'll help you," she hastily said and Lupin joined in to help.
"Er-thanks," Sirius managed to say scanning the floor mainly to avoid looking into her green eyes. It was a rather unnatural color he decided.
Potter hadn't made any movement to help. There he stood in front of Sirius's last fallen possession. Slowly, time seemed to have stilled, Potter bent down to pick it up. Potter's eyes widened as his eyes scanned the paper and Sirius knew Potter held the Pure-blood essay he had been working on for his parents: Why Mudbloods endanger the success of the Wizard World.
Sirius hadn't chosen the title; it had come with the instructions. And he could not read whatever ludicrous idea was running through Potter's mind. He had to remind himself forcefully that Potter's opinion of him did not matter and since Potter though he was a "pure-blood maniac" the title would not surprise him.
This gave Sirius courage and he purposely walked straight at Potter, "Well? Can I have my paper back? I'm late."
"You…er…you wrote this…?"
"Yes…"
"For what class?" he demanded.
"It's none of your concern."
Potter's eyes narrowed and he still held the paper ransom that Sirius had painstakingly written. His parents would only accept perfection. Then something sparked in Potter's eyes, as if he was putting it all together. Potter had walked right by him when he had received the two books in the post the other day and after Transfiguration class both Potter and Lupin kept glancing at what he was holding and conversing in mumbled words. Potter would put it together.
Potter then handed over the paper with a nod. With lightening speed, Sirius rushed down the hall remembering he still had a detention to serve. Professor York had yet to show compassion to any student and Sirius highly doubted his situation would warrant any.
"What is your excuse for being tardy?"
Keeping his voice polite, "I don't have an excuse Professor. I'm just late."
"Just late? I see. Another student will be joining us shortly, but until then I have been meaning to have a talk with you. Please have a seat."
Sirius frowned and quickly found a seat in the front unceremoniously dumping his things. The Potions room in the dungeons didn't feel as cold and damp as it usually did.
"Mr. Black, a few weeks ago I had a chat with your parents. They wanted my assessment of you since I am the Head of Slytherin for the year."
Sirius decided it was best to keep quiet.
"In all honesty, you intrigue me. You are on the edge of a cliff, brought there by unforeseen forces and you can either jump off or back away."
Sirius was starting to think this woman was crazy.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"That I belong in Slytherin where I will keep the family tradition strong."
"Not exactly…"
Sirius picked his head up, "But that's what you told my parents, I bet…"
"I told your parents what they wanted to hear, I would like to keep my job. I also explained that I cannot convince the Headmaster to change his sorting policies, he is a very stubborn man."
"Professor Dumbledore said I can be resorted at the beginning of next year."
"Ah yes…if that is your decision. It is still your choice, Mr. Black I cannot stress that enough. And you have been given a year to think this over carefully."
"You don't want the heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black?"
Professor York smiled, "I did not attend Hogwarts, so I have no strong ties to any house. And by your behavior in class, I could do with one less troublemaker…"
It was Sirius's turn to smile. Then a knock on the oak door and the sound filtered into the empty room, as if knocking them back into the real world.
"Come in," Professor said her voice lost the compassion it had held only a moment ago and she became the strict rule enforcer the rest of the school knew.
"Ah, Miss Fields right on time. Please take a seat at the bench next to Mr. Black."
A tall girl with curly brown hair from Hufflepuff entered practically shaking with nervousness.
"You'll only be doing lines tonight." She handed them sheets. Miss Fields began to straight away on her lines. Sirius watched Professor York begin pouring the various colored potions into a larger vial, it was hypnotizing.
"Get to work, Mr. Black. And since you seem so curious, I'm working on a healing potion."
An hour later, Sirius completed the work. Miss Fields had left a few moments ago. He stood up to hand the pages in.
"You may go, Mr. Black. I believe fate has something special in store for you. I know – I can feel- how mixed up you feel, but stay strong."
"Yes, Professor."
Sirius was almost at the door; his hand was touching, turning the knob…
"Do you know what your name means, Sirius?"
"It's a star…"
"Correct. The Dog Star. The brightest star in the sky. Good night, Mr. Black."
!!!
He didn't understand why or how it had happened, but suddenly his world turned completely upside down. It had been messed up since his sorting, but this was taking it to a new level. First he had that heart-to-heart with Professor York. Mind you, she had ignored the conversation and had treated Sirius the same as she had before. Even two weeks later when he found himself in detention with her, she did not even hint toward it. It was as if it had never happened. Maybe Sirius had imagined it. He was going crazy. That must be it.
Her meaning hadn't exactly been clear either. Professor York had met his parents. She had seen how manic they were, how Sirius well-being was at stake here. She hadn't outright say it, but by telling him he had a choice, well that meant she felt he'd be better suited in Gryffindor. Right? This idea only confirmed that he was indeed going crazy. Who knows maybe the air in the Gryffindor Tower was somehow different then the one at his house or in the Slytherin dorms.
Then to add the icing to the cake, he had done something that one hundred percent showed he was out of his mind. He should be admitted to St. Mungo's immediately. He should not be accountable for his actions. See, Sirius was walking back from a short tutoring session with the five Gryffindor girls from his year. Why he had agreed to do it in the first place? He didn't know, but at least he had been smart enough to have them meet him not in a public place like the Common room or worse the library, where one of his cousin's spies could see him, but an empty classroom. They had come up to him late one night, when he was tired and unguarded. Lily and Andriana Phillips were the only two girls who spoke, but the other three girls stood beside them in silent support.
"Er,Sirius," Lily had that awful habit of calling him by his first name, as if they were on good terms, "Are you busy?"
"Not really," Sirius said noncommittally.
"Good…we were all wondering if you could….help us with our Potions essays." Lily looked at him hopefully.
"Help you with your essay?" he repeated astonished.
Andriana nodded and began to explain why of all people they had sought him out. Sirius figured they really must have been desperate or foolish or both.
"Professor York handed them back to us circling all the things we need to correct. I can barely read what I wrote, there is so much red! And we are having trouble figuring out the correct answer. My notes are no help and the books at the library have so much detail in them. It would take us forever to go through them."
"And you think I could help you?"
"Well you hardly ever get extra work in Potions class, so if anyone could help us, it would be you. Trust me; you could only help our papers, not hurt them."
"What about Potter?" Sirius wondered out loud.
Sirius did not like to admit it, but he was on the same intelligence level as Potter in classes. It would make more sense for them to seek him out; he wasn't the 'Slytherin who became a Gryffindor". Pure Gryffindor ran through his blood.
Though it did not come easily to him, he excelled in Potions far better them most of his classmates. He had no patience and there was no thrill in mixing together unrelated ingredients to make a new substance. He supposed it was a bit of luck that his potions usually came out correctly even when his concentration wavered.
"It doesn't matter. We decided to ask you and not him."
Sirius made the mistake of looking directly into their faces and saw how desperate they looked. How they must have been trying to get up the courage all night to ask him…So before his mind could decided for itself, his mouth betrayed him, "I guess I can look over your essays."
Once he made it clear, no one was to know he had helped them, the tutoring session went well. It would be catastrophic if his cousins got wind of this. There had been no idle chit chat, the conversation stayed strictly on school related topics. The girls did catch on quickly and they each thanked him. And it made him feel decent to help them out. Yes, he was definitely slowly going insane.
Sirius was continuing to edge farther and farther off that cliff, instead of backing away safely into the Black forest.
A/N: Please read and review.
Celebrean: I wish I could just make them friends, but I can't have it happen instantly or it would not be believable by the way I'm written it. It will happen though J keep reading.
J: You do make a very valid point about barely anyone knowing Voldemorts name was Tom Riddle etc, You are probably right and I agree with what you said, but since I'm not concentrating my story particularly on his followers, I'm not going to worry about it too much. Thanks for your input though!
Surge1: Thank you. Yes, exactly I'm hoping the way their friendship is forming seems realistic because of the Black's pureblood view.
Carrot cake, Carrot cake: Yes, Sirius is very confused…he doesn't know what to do (poor guy!) thanks for reading and btw I like your name.
Leshlie: Ahh! I'm being stalked, lol. Thank you.
Shadow929: glad you like it! Again sorry it took forever to update
Nicole Black: Thanks. I do try to keep the conversations very realistic, there are many stories I read and I find myself saying – do people really talk like that
Koriaena: Yes, he does. Thanks for reading.
RedRaspberry: its ok and I'm still continuing after this chapter, so keep reading lol and thanks.
Mirkwood: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
DrowRanger: Thanks and please continue thinking its awesome, lol.
MoJo-sbluver: Thanks and continue reading to see what happens J