Disclaimer: In some strange upside down alternate reversed universe this might belong to me, but sadly not on this earth, its all Rowlings.
A/N: A/N: Well I was going to update on thanksgiving, but the chapter didn't upload right and I had to delete the chapter. It seems though that even though I deleted the chapter had under my story title that the story has been updated. Then the whole upload system was disabled so I couldn't try again and I haven't been able to get on the computer until now. So this was ready on Nov 25, but it seems it wasn't meant to be. Sorry for the confusion and for the wait. Enjoy!
After three hours on his knees scrubbing sticky floors, Sirius felt exhausted and let his guard down as he walked back to the tower. If Sirius had known how late it had gotten, he might have been more suspicious of the footsteps behind him.
"Sirius Black, we meet again," a smooth soft voice filled with such confidence that it made you feel the voice was right about everything it said.
Sirius swirled around, "Lucius Malfoy," he whispered darkly, his contrasting voice tense and sharp. Malfoy was not one to find you without a specific reason.
"It's a bit late to be wandering the halls alone."
"It might be late, but I'm not breaking any rules."
"I'm afraid your disgraceful behavior has fallen under my radar. I will stress that I can be a formidable enemy. The Malfoy name holds much power and prestige. As the Black name used to only a few months ago and how does it feel to know it is entirely your fault."
Sirius opened his mouth to retort.
"Don't give me that you didn't choose Gryffindor…perhaps you had no power in that, but your behavior has hardly been innocent. You have shown with your actions that the Slytherin mentality and purity of blood means absolutely nothing to you. Why does the fate of the Blacks mean anything to me? When my family will gain power as you loose it. Our family's have strong ties, a long history of business deals and arranged marriages. I plan to marry one of your cousins and my bride's family name will not be tarnished because of you. What do you hope to gain in this rebellion against the very people who care about you?"
"Surely the whole history won't be brought down just because I'm in Gryffindor."
"People respond and remember defeats better than accomplishments. This will not be forgotten so easily. Your duties have been spelled out to you, but yet the moment you are back here you go against orders cursing a respectable member of the Slytherin house."
"Respectable?" Sirius had to choke back a laugh, "I don't exactly regret that."
"You don't want me as your enemy, nor do you want to hurt the people I consider of importance. Come here Severus Snape."
Snape materialized from behind a metal armor.
"Is he of importance to you?" Sirius sneered he hid his increasing fear with his words.
"Insolence? Severus would you demonstrate to Black why I value your services. Wand out Black, though I doubt it will be much help to you."
Sirius skillfully pulled his wand out of his robe immediately in his defense stance. Snape actually waited for him to have his wand out ready and then two thin maroon bands of light shot out directly toward him. The bands circled his arms and tightened as if rope. A piercing hot pain shot up through both his arms intensifying with each passing moment. It caused him to cry out in pain and drop his wand. The immediate pain stopped as soon as Severus broke eye contact.
"He's very useful to have around. I never knew of this curse myself, but its proving to be very effective against thorns. And that is just a taste my friend – Severus has already demonstrated to me his usefulness and you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of his extensive knowledge."
Sirius gingerly rolled ups his sleeve and to his horror fresh rope burns decorated his arms.
He didn't notice another spell directed to him, but he suddenly couldn't move. Malfoy stood directly in front of him only a few centimeters from his face. He had to bend down to be on Sirius's eye level.
"This was a friendly warning, Black. If you tell a teacher about this – it will only backfire on you, for I will twist your words. And who will they trust me a school Prefect or you - a first year who has been in more trouble then I have in seven years."
Lucius Malfoy stalked off with Snape trailing behind him. The condescending look on Snape's face enraged Sirius and as soon as the boys disappeared the spell wore off. Sirius bent down to retrieve his wand. His arms ached dully and every time he moved the scraping of the fabric irritated the burns. He gritted his teeth in pain and headed straight to what appeared was an empty bathroom.
"Hello Sirius," Lupin emerged from one of the showers startling him. A second question immediately followed after. "What happened to you?" Lupin asked horrified at the reddening skin.
"Got into a bit of a fight."
"I thought you were in detention," Lupin said giving him that same look that made Sirius always feel ashamed even if there was nothing to be ashamed about.
"I was – Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy- do you know who he is?"
"Yea I know who he is."
"Always looks as if he's too good for any other wizard's presence…well he cornered me with Snape."
"Malfoy did this to you?"
"Actually, no. Snape did. Nice chap when you get to know him."
"But how would Snape even know such a complex spell, I doubt most fully qualified adult wizards could achieve this."
"So you know of this curse?"
"No, but I can tell it must be very powerful and not to mention…"
"Off the Dark Arts," Sirius finished quietly for him. Lupin's eyes met his briefly in a moment of understanding.
"Come on, I'll take you to the hospital wing."
"I can't go see the nurse."
"At least tell McGonagall…"
"I can't get any teacher involvement."
Remus looked as if he were about to argue but something stopped him. Maybe it was the determined look in his eye.
"Right. I have some ointment and bandages in my trunk."
Back in their room, Potter was flipping through a Quidditch magazine telling Pettigrew about different models of broomsticks. They simultaneously picked up their heads as Lupin and Sirius entered with Lupin making a beeline to his trunk.
"What's going on?" Potter asked finally.
"Black got the end of an interesting spell, show him."
Sirius sighed, but rolled up his sleeves obediently showing the burns.
"Who did this?" The anger in Potter's voice startled Sirius for a moment and he couldn't form the words to respond.
Meanwhile Lupin had started spreading the cream.
"It might sting a bit at first."
"A bit!"
The stinging did dull a second later and warming feeling started spreading from the site of the burn to all over his body.
"Snape did this," Sirius said looking directly at Potter and then Pettigrew, "I guess it was his way of getting even for the boils."
"The boils hardly hurt and the nurse can get rid of them with one quick potion, but this…" Potter indicated with his hand at the burns, "And I don't see what the big deal was, he did look better with the boils."
Peter suppressed a giggle and Sirius felt his mouth turn into a quick grin.
"Well have you gone to McGonagall yet?"
"No and I don't plan to."
"Well you had to suffer through a detention for the boils, why shouldn't Snape suffer? And Malfoy is a Prefect!"
"A Slytherin Prefect and if you haven't noticed I'm not too popular in that house."
"We could come up with a scheme, get even."
"I'll deal with it."
"You can't show them you're scared."
"I'm not scared, Potter. This is between Snape, Malfoy, and I so, there is no need for any of you to get dragged into this."
"The odds are against you, two to one. At the least let me back you up."
"I'll deal with this alone!" he jerked his arm away, the bandage dangling since Remus hadn't finished wrapping it yet.
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James would have continued to argue if Frederick hadn't knocked on their door that instant. Frederick stood in the doorway; his Prefect badge gleaming so that you had to be completely blind not to notice it and even then it gave off such a glow a blind person could have felt it.
"Ah my favorite cousin, there you are James. Do you mind if I have a word with you?"
"I guess," James answered a bit put off by his cousin's sudden presence.
"Why are you doing it?" Frederick asked obviously assuming that James was thinking of the exact same thing he was at that exact same time.
"Doing what exactly?"
"I saw you sitting with him."
Remus had quickly finished bandaging and Black had rolled down his sleeves and was looking at Frederick suspiciously. Frederick on the other hand seemed oblivious of James's three roommates.
"What are you talking about? Peter? I always sit with Peter." Peter squeaked and sat up quickly when he heard his name. James smiled thinly at him. James had a feeling of what was coming.
"I'm talking about the addition to your social group."
"Ah you're talking about, Black," James said casually taking advantage of the situation, nodding at the boy. Frederick turned quite red realizing the reason for this visit was sitting right there listening.
Apparently this did not deter Frederick enough, "Well you know what he's family is like, you've heard about them surely…Dark Wizards the lot of them."
"That's right," Black said his voice dangerously rising, "Regular law abiding magic is too boring for us noble Blacks…the Dark Arts are the way to go."
Frederick continued, "Our families have been clashing on ideas about blood for decades. The Blacks would love to get rid of our families. We have become quite a nuisance blocking all their moves to get Muggle-borns out of our world. It is absolutely ludicrous for you to associate with him on your own free will."
"I know that," James said quickly, "I've heard it all. And I believed it all, but I'm beginning to wonder…"
"Off course it's true! It's not like the Blacks even try to hide their agenda!"
"I think he may be different…" James said carefully glancing a bit nervously at Black who was now clenching his fists.
"How can you suddenly trust him?!"
"We came to an understanding…" James now looked directly at his cousin whose whole face was almost a maroon red.
"Oh, all those stupid rumors about Black saving your lives."
"Black did save my life. If what he did wasn't considered brave, I don't know what is. That surely isn't a Slytherin trait – and if he differs from his family in house, I think that means he differs in their ideas as well."
"Unless he only helped you to get you to trust him. Unless the whole idea was a cunning scheme."
"He deserves a chance. I didn't give him one at the start of term, but I will now. So Bugger off!"
Frederick glared at them all and left the first year dorm quickly. James turned apologetically to Black hoping he hadn't been offended. Even though Black didn't say anything when their eyes met briefly, there was no anger only a feeling of gratitude.
"If only you could choose your family," James said hoping to lighten the mood.
"If only…" Black echoed.
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Remus was trying to concentrate on what Peter was saying but he was also worried about his next absence. The problem with having friends – he considered the four of them were close to being friends – never really having one before he had nothing to really compare it to– was they wanted to know where you went when you were absent.
"…and my father will kill me if that happens again."
"Sorry what?" Remus asked remembering the last thing Peter had been talking about was that the muffins had been stale at breakfast.
"Haven't you been listening?"
"Sorry," Remus muttered realizing this could be the perfect time to plant the seed about his next absence, "I have a lot on my mind. My mum isn't feeling very well…I might have to go see her in a few days."
"Wasn't your grandmother just sick?"
Remus nodded cursing silently. How was it that Peter couldn't remember a homework assignment, but that he remembered?
"Yea, she's feeling better."
"Maybe the sickness is contagious."
"No what my mum has is different," Remus realized it was time to switch direction quickly, "So why would your father kill you?"
"Professor York sent my last two potions essays home. You saw what a disgrace those were. I practically failed them both and in the letter she said I wasn't applying myself."
"Well didn't you tell your parents how hard you are trying? You can't be good at everything. You aren't that horrible in Herbology."
"Oh that will make my father happy, that I can take care of plants. He has high hopes for me since he never had a chance to work in a prestigious job in the Ministry. In his mind my future definitely does not include working in a greenhouse."
"Yea but plants can be used to cure and make so many things."
"He won't listen."
"What does your father do?"
"He now works in a factory that makes magical toys. He was fired from his last job, but he never told my Mum or me why. My dad inherited a shop in Diagon Alley that he rents out for a hefty fee. My mum just got a job as a secretary."
They were nearing their destination, the Charms classroom.
"Oh no! I forgot that we are getting back our Charms test and I know I mixed up the Hoover charm with some other charm and I barely had time to finish the last essay…"
"Well if you need help, I can try and tutor you a bit."
"That would be great. Thank you. I need all the help I can get."
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Sirius didn't like to admit it, but ever since that attack by Snape and Malfoy he turned corners and walked down empty corridors very cautiously.
He knew from sitting with Potter the last few days he had made his statement clearer than anything, so he was expecting retaliation. He could feel the growing animosity the Slytherins held toward him and Gryffindors and it worried him. He was certain in Malfoy's, his cousins, and majority of Slytherin's minds that they blamed every student in Gryffindor for taking the heir of Black from them.
There were constant dirty looks, glares, and just angry eyes watching his every movement. It seeped from them, following him through the hallways, to his bedroom, suffocating him sometimes at night, reminding him of his betrayal and of what he owed his family. He'd thought once he made the decision to go against them it would be easier, but it only made him more unsure of his path.
And this might have all worked. He might have come crawling back towards them, swallowing his pride, and apologizing to Snape, to Malfoy, and to his parents. It might have worked if he hadn't had Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew not far away from him. If Potter hadn't stood up to his cousin. If Lupin hadn't helped him rewrite his essay when one of the Slytherins stole his essay, ripping it to shreds, and casting some spell on it so it could not be repaired. If Pettigrew hadn't laughed at every stupid joke he made.
He wasn't used to having people so willingly to stand up to him. And it mattered. And it saved him from going backwards.
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Potter who was very adamant that they do everything together, had all four of them working on a set of question for one of their classes that lazy afternoon.
Sirius bored already, undid his bandages to see that the burns were nearly healed with only a faint line.
"That cream is amazing, Lupin," Sirius said, "Where did you get it?"
"Oh, my mom is always so worried about me, so she gave me a fully supplied first aide bag. You probably only need to apply it one more time and the burns should be all healed then."
He watched as Lupin began to pack a small bag.
"So where are you going again?" Potter asked a bit suspiciously.
"I've told you. My mum's sick."
"Right and Dumbledore is ok with this."
"Yes!" Lupin said tersely, "Just ask him."
"Sorry," James muttered, "I believe you. I hope you didn't inherit all these sick genes. First your grandmother and now your mother. It's a bit unbelievable."
"It's called bad luck. I'll see you in a day or so."
"I'll walk you out," Pettigrew said, "I need to talk to Frederick about getting an older student to tutor me. Professor York told me to talk to him."
"Bye Lupin!"
"Have a good visit, Remus."
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So now Black and James were alone in their dorm and it was apparent Black had given up on the homework. He was now lying on his bed fingering a small object.
James also bored with homework decided to try to converse.
"What do you have there?"
"Family heirloom. Want to see?"
"Sure," James said sitting on Black's bed and taking the object that turned out to be ring.
"That ring has been passed down in my family for many years always to the eldest son. My father will probably demand it back and give it to Regulus since I'm too disgraceful to wear an important artifact as that."
"Who is Regulus?"
"My younger brother and the perfect son."
"I wish I had a younger brother."
"Trust me you don't."
James now crouched down and for the first time really noticed Black's trunk.
The top of it said "Then Noble and Most Ancient House of Black" and in elegant script under it "Troujas Pur". Each of the sides bore the Black crest.
James had decided that Black's family was completely psychotic. All of his things, except for school robes, had some symbol of his family on them. And now this ring that had two snakes entwining it. It was not healthy.
"I didn't know your family was noble, Black?" James teased wanting to break the silence that had developed.
"Guess you don't know everything Potter," Black remarked apparently disinterested in continuing the conversation.
"You know, you can call me James."
Black looked up, "And you can call me Sirius."
"Alright, Sirius," his name sounded strange on his tongue.
"Well, James" he smiled quickly and then darkened as he talked about his family, "My family believes that we are as good as noble, practically royalty since we do have one of the purest blood lines. And most importantly we can prove it."
"Well, my family can trace our purity pretty far down the line as well."
"Oh, I know, except that even blood purity matters little when your family is considered traitors to the blood. Isn't your father working on all those Muggle Protection Acts? My mother and father have been ranting about that for awhile."
"My mother says it isn't healthy how obsessed your family is concerning purity of blood."
"They due tend to be fanatic about their pure-blood mania. Anyway not that it matters, apparently I'm now in the same category as you. I'm officially a disgrace to my family name, a no-good blood traitor."
"Welcome to the club. Are your parents still angry with you about the whole sorting thing? How long has it been now?"
"I doubt they'll ever get over it. I don't think I could have done anything possible worse. Actually I did do something worse, I saved your life and I am now in the process of becoming a true Gryffindor. I believe they would forgive me sooner if I killed someone."
"So how is it being a Gryffindor? Is it truly as horrible as you imagined, as your parents made it seem."
"No its not, but it won't last long. After a summer at my house, I doubt I'll be back in Gryffindor."
"What do you mean?"
Abruptly Sirius asked, "Do your parents make you memorize passages of books?"
James gave him a questioning look.
"I know the whole Black lineage frontward and backwards. I'm only allowed to read books about the importance of purity of blood. Once they found this Quidditch book I was reading that Andromeda smuggled to me…anyway I was much more careful after that."
"That's crazy."
"According to them, I'm the crazy one that needs these types of punishments to get on the right path to being the perfect son. But enough of that. When is the next Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, I can hardly wait for us to cream them."
James grinned and while he talked Quidditch his thoughts strayed. Is that what McGonagall had meant? She had told him that Sirius had a very different upbringing than him. But he couldn't imagine anything like what Sirius had alluded to actually happening.
His parents weren't perfect and sometimes he wished they would pay more attention, but he was beginning to feel grateful.
And a much greater respect for Sirius for defying his parents at all. He knew feeling sorry for Sirius would not help him, but letting him know that what he was doing was admirable would go a long way.
Please READ and REVIEW
A/N: Just to let everyone know that the next chapter probably won't be out until after Dec 19th because in the next few weeks I have all my finals, so I'm not going to have any free time to write the next chapter. But I will update it as soon as possible!
Thank you to all who reviewed
EsScaper: I'm glad you like how I portray the relationship b/t Sirius and James and there slow gradual acceptance of the other. Now that they get along it will be even more fun to write their interaction. Thank you so much and please keep reading.
Cine (loves Sirius: Awww you love me, lol. I was a bit worried about how long it took for them to get friendly, but I'm so happy everyone seems to think it made everything come together. Again thanks a lot.
Koriaena: No summers will not be fun, but don't worry I won't torture our beloved Sirius too much
Jeanne2: I'm glad you thought the last chapter was awesome!
Keiko: lol where ever you leave a review, I'll gladly take it. I'm so happy you enjoyed my story. My father actually always told me what a great writer I could be. And I love writing and I will probably make stories for other years. I actually wrote a one piece about when Remus finally admitted his illness, I might post that or add it into this story, but I'm not sure. All your ideas would make for interesting scenarios.
Elvengirl9: Yes they took them home. Originally I wasn't going to do that, that idea came sort of last minute, but I thought it would really surprise everyone instead of just a howler or something. I think its important to make sure Remus and Peter are part of the story as well and to keep them in character since all four boys made up the marauders
Kyla: Sorry I am really trying to update sooner, but its so hard. Yes I still would love to murder Peter right on the stop. It's hard to find sympathetic readers toward Peter and so many stories just completely ignore him. But unless Sirius, James, and Remus were really that bad judges of characters, he couldn't have been that awful when they were young.
KC's Diamond: Thank you! Slowly but surely they will achieve that bond of friendship we all know and love
Irish Anor: You are welcome to throw hard rock cakes at Mrs. Black whenever you want, she certainly deserves it. I'm happy you enjoyed the twists!
Celebrean: Your welcome and I think you may have won the longest review award again, lol. Ohhh how interesting, I've always wanted to "Get to know my textbook". Your teachers sound absolutely wonderful. Sometimes with all the homework teachers assign you wonder if they remember what its like to be a student and have other things going on in your life besides completing busy work. Anyway I always enjoy your comments!
Rose: Well this chapter is written, I am trying to update sooner, if only the world could stop for a few weeks and let me just write.
Surge1: I think this chapter is out a bit quicker then the last…lol…who knows though. I'm so happy everyone likes my spin on the beginning of such a great strong friendship. I agree I think their friendship is the best part of the book and it was after reading POA and learning first about the Marauders was when I went from a person who just reads and likes Harry Potter to being totally obsessed.
GROUND: I would say the next chapter will be up quicker, but with final looming close, I highly doubt it, but I'll try my best. Thank you for reading.
Brennqt14: I'll try and clear it up for you. When Sirius began eating the biscuit he began to think about what his parents would do, he got himself so worked up with worry that he began to feel physically sick, so that's why he runs out. He's leaning on the wall to calm himself down, when one of the professors says he's wanted in Dumbledore's office. While he was at breakfast his mother came to Dumbledores office and requested her son present. I'm glad you enjoyed it and sorry about the confusion.