This is my first fanfiction so please let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy the chapter 2!

Chapter 2

The next few weeks were strained. The four Marauder's, who were infamous for rule breaking and causing chaos were the quietest and most subdued they'd ever been. Even the teachers, especially their Transfiguration teacher and Head of House, Professor McGonagall, had notice their absence in her detentions after school lessons had ended each day.

Madam Pomfrey had also noticed the rapid decline in the number of catastrophes she was required to deal with. Other than looking after Remus once in the month, after his painful transformation into a Werewolf, the hospital wing had become very quiet. She had not seen Severus Snape, who often came in with explosive warts, extra arms or some other kind of magical injury, resulting from one practical joke or another, in over a month.

The Gryffindor common room was especially subdued. Hogsmeade weekend came and went with little attention paid. Very rarely, the odd Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks would be seen drifting about the corridors. An odd Dungbomb would be released here or there creating a diversion, making Mr Filch, the caretaker, pounce on unsuspecting students who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only after the start of the second week in November, did the Gryffindor's begin to pick up on the excitement that was feverishly sweeping its way through the school.

There was to be, along side the six House Quidditch matches played this year, six special Quidditch matches which were designed to bring together all the families of the current Hogwarts students. The first two matches would be on the coming Saturday and Sunday evenings. The first match would be Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw and the second, Hufflepuff versus Slytherin. All the families would be arriving on the Hogwarts Express on the Saturday afternoon before the match.
On the morning of the match, James headed down to breakfast early, sporting the slightly surly look he'd been wearing since his embarrassing moment with Lily four weeks before. He plonked himself down near the end of the table, away from the rest of the crowd, and began munching quietly on a piece of toast whilst Remus and Peter, who had sat down opposite him, tried to make conversation.

"Oh Prongs, just give it up! So the entire school knows what happened and had a laugh at your expense. It doesn't mean you have to bury your head in the sand. Christ, its never stopped you before!"

"Moony, shut up, your not helping," James muttered angrily.

"It's not that the whole school knows so much-" Sirius, who was sitting at James' side, began.

"Padfoot. Leave it!"

"No. Enough is enough! They have a right to know, seeing as the whole school now feels like its in mourning. The people are suffering. They need the chaos we normally provide back!"
James scowled, but didn't say anything.

"Right." Sirius said slightly more cheerfully, as he turned to face Remus and Peter again. "It's not that the whole school knows and laughed at him. It's because Lily has been giving him the cold shoulder. She hasn't spoken to him in over a month."

Remus bit his lip, trying desperately not to grin.

"Oh get lost, the lot of you," James snapped. He stood up and stalked back across the entrance hall towards the doors. Severus, who was sitting at the Slytherin table, jumped up and mimicked James and Lily's kiss, for which he received a rude hand gesture from James, who then continued out of the doors.

Not looking where he was going, he bumped into Lily and Ebony, who were on their way down to breakfast.

"Sorry," James muttered.

"Likewise," Ebony returned coolly.

"Oh Prongs," Lily called after him, as he turned to walk away. James whipped around. "Good luck in the match today." She smiled, before heading back towards the Great Hall.

James' spirits soared, and the twinkle in his eye, which had faded over the last few weeks, shone more brightly than ever.

"And I'm back in the game," he whooped, as he rushed up to the Gryffindor tower to retrieve his Quidditch robes and broomstick, startling small Professor Flitwick, who was half-hidden behind the armful of books he was carrying. He had the feeling that today would be a very good day.

Later that afternoon, the families started to arrive. The excitement, which had spread over the entire school in the last week, had reached fever-pitch. After all, it wasn't often that mass hoards of witches, wizards, Muggles and their offspring descended on the school in the middle of term.

The families were to stay the weekend. Everywhere Sirius turned, as he James Remus and Peter went to meet their own families off the train, children were laughing and talking spiritedly with their parents. He also noticed, to his surprise, that rather than the students showing their parents around, it seemed to be the other way round. Sirius overheard parents telling their sons and daughters all the things they got up to whilst they had been at Hogwarts and showing them their old haunts.

Sirius couldn't help noticing that, out of all the hundreds of faces he could see, not one looked unhappy or upset. Everyone was in jovial spirits, smiling and laughing as old school friends, who hadn't seen each other for years, were reunited. He wondered what his own parents would make of it all.

As the Marauder's made their way out of the main entrance and down the gravel drive to where other families were arriving, they saw a rather short woman with mousy coloured hair waving frantically.

Peter turned to the other three, "I'd better go. I'll see you all later."

The others said their goodbyes and stood watching as Peter hurried over to where his mother now stood. James, Sirius and Remus then turned and sat down on the bank, which lead to the huge lake where the giant squid glided lazily across its surface. They all sat in silence watching the sun twinkling off the lake's surface and waited for their families to arrive.

Remus' parents were the next to arrive. They walked over smiling and gave their son a quick hug before saying hello to James and Sirius.

Mr. Lupin was very much like his son. He stood tall and was very slim. His floppy brown hair, Sirius noticed, had more specks of grey in it than he remembered. He also noticed that Mr. Lupin had heavy bags under his eyes making him look very tired and drawn, yet he seemed happy enough so Sirius shook off the thought and turned to look at Mrs. Lupin, who was ruffling James' hair.

Mrs. Lupin was petite with sandy-blonde hair and a large smile. She was in her mid-forties, like Mr. Lupin, but unlike himself she seemed positively ecstatic to be there, looking around the grounds in amazement. Being a Muggle, she had never been or seen the school before, only hearing the stories about the place that her son and husband wanted her to hear.

They stayed a while, all sitting watching the giant squid in silence, before Remus finally escorted his parents up to the castle. He waved back at James and Sirius before disappearing into the Great Hall where tea, coffee and Pumpkin Juice awaited them.

For a while James and Sirius continued to sit in silence, gazing up to the gates, squinting slightly in the sunlight. Finally James' parents walked into sight. When they reached the boys they hugged both tightly. Sirius closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of Mrs. Potter's perfume, relaxing immediately.

"Oh it's so good to see you!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed, finally releasing James and Sirius. "Sorry we're so late, we had a bit of trouble with one of the train's sliding compartment doors. Every time we tried to get near it to get out, the bloody thing locked itself. Your father, in the end, tried to force it open but the blooming thing shot bolts of lightning at him."

Mr. Potter, whose hands had been safely hidden behind his back up until this point, now pushed them forwards towards James and Sirius, pulling back his robes as he did so. They were so heavily bandaged, however, it looked like he was wearing boxing gloves.

Sirius and James looked at each other trying not to grin.

"Now don't tell me you had anything to do with this," Mrs. Potter began looking totally flabbergasted.

"No ma'am," they said together, trying their hardest to look innocent.

"I'm not buying it," Mr. Potter laughed, as he watched his son flush slightly.

"You boys!" Mrs. Potter began, shaking her head. "Will you never learn?" She grabbed her son and ruffled his hair affectionately.

Sirius couldn't remember the last time his mother had done anything like that to him. Over the last few years he had become more accustomed to a verbal lashing rather than any kind of a comforting show of affection.

As this thought crossed his mind, he instinctively looked past the Potters and back towards the gates that now stood deserted.

"Umm, were you the last off the train then?" Sirius muttered, slightly disheartened.

"Oh!" Mrs. Potter said, following his gaze. "Yes, I think we were dear. What with that blooming door and trying to bandage Colin's hands..." she trailed off.

There was an awkward silence which was only broken by James' falsely happy voice. "Come on lets go inside," and grabbed his friend's shoulder supportively. Sirius' knees buckled slightly under the unexpected force of James' arm.

"Yeah, okay," he muttered resignedly.

They lead the way back up the stone steps and in to the main doors where the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, was waiting to greet them. He gave Mrs. Potter a kiss on the cheek saying, "Nice to see you Mary, it's been too long..." before offering his hand for Mr. Potter to shake.

On seeing his heavily bandaged hands, Dumbledore had Madam Pomfrey, who was helping with the seating arrangements, fetch a bowl of ordinary healing potion in which Mr. Potter was instructed to place his hands, feeling them soothe instantly. Madam Pomfrey then gave him a cream to rub in to them. Within five minutes the burns and singed marks had vanished, leaving his hands as good as new.

Dumbledore, Sirius noticed, was looking at him intently from behind his half-moon shaped glasses. Feeling uncomfortable, Sirius shifted his eyes away from him and made his way over to the Gryffindor table where Remus and his parents were now sitting.

Dumbledore, who had followed him with his eyes, turned to talk to Mrs. Potter. Sirius saw her shaking her head sadly before glancing in his direction. When she noticed him watching her, she turned back, said her goodbye and came to sit down opposite him. The hall, Sirius noticed, was only partly filled, as parents and students came and went as they pleased.

Dumbledore, Sirius could just make out, was now gliding through the crowds of students and visitors to where the staff table stood, on a raised platform, at the far end of the Great Hall.
Dumbledore, now able to see everyone in the vicinity, took out his wand and placed it up to his throat and muttered "Sonorus." His voice magically projected itself loud and clear as he said "testing, testing, one, two, three."

The words reverberated around the Great Hall before escaping out into the Entrance Hall and echoing out into the grounds. His voice carried itself up the marble staircase and along the corridors, all the way up to the tallest towers, back down through all the hidden passages, down to the dungeons, around to the kitchens, back up to the Entrance Hall and finally coming to a halt back inside the Great Hall.

Some of the parents, including Mrs. Lupin, looked up in amazement. Some of the students started giggling at their reactions. Dumbledore smiled down at them, a twinkle in his eye before speaking.
"All parents and students please take note that the Celebration Feast will be taking place in approximately one hour, at sun down. I would ask all students to escort their families back to the Entrance Hall immediately, where Professor McGonagall and myself, Albus Dumbledore, will show them to their rooms where they can freshen up before this evening's festivities begin! Thank you." With that, he put his wand up to his throat again and muttered 'Quitus,' restoring his voice back to normal. He then made his way back over to where the Potters were now sitting.

"Oh this is so exciting Professor, I can hardly wait," exclaimed Mrs. Potter

Sirius looked over the table at Mrs. Potter, who was now immersed in a conversation with Mrs. Lupin, smiling. Even though his parents weren't here with him, he still felt the excitement soar within him.

"Where will the families be sleeping," Mr. Lupin asked, looking rather intrigued.

"Ahh, I'm glad you mentioned it," Dumbledore smiled. "I must say it was difficult, but it has all been sorted this afternoon."

Sirius, James and Remus, who had just turned their attention to Dumbledore, looked puzzled. Dumbledore smiled at the inquisitive faces. "Lets just say it's one of my better inventions, and that is saying something." They all laughed. "I dare say you'll find out soon enough." And with that, he said goodbye and made his way out to the Entrance Hall, where students and their parents were beginning to arrive. Sirius, the Potters and the Lupins followed suit.

"Right. Is everyone here?" Dumbledore beamed from where he was standing on the marble staircase.

Was it just himself, Sirius wondered, or had the Entrance Hall magically expanded itself to accommodate the extra people.

"Ahh, okay then. Well I hope everyone can hear me clearly," Dumbledore began, as a several stragglers appeared from a side door. "Right. Well I trust you all had a safe and pleasant trip." His eyes rested on Mr. Potter for a few moments, the twinkle gleaming in his eye. "Well I should start by telling you of the sleeping arrangements. As you know, your children have been split into the four School Houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The students families will thus be sleeping in their son's or daughter's houses. Extra rooms have been added in the dormitories, with each family having their own room, their names written clearly on the doors. If you have a son, your room will be allocated in the boy's dormitories. If you have a daughter, your room will be in the girl's dormitories. Please note that if you have more than one child at Hogwarts, your room will be allocated in the same house and dormitory as your youngest child. There are seven floors in each of the houses, accommodating each year group. There is also a common room. You will find your rooms on the same floors as your child."

There was a mutter of acknowledgement before Dumbledore spoke again.

"I would also like to say that each of the four common rooms has been enlarged with extra furniture to accommodate our guests. The dining arrangements will also be the same as the sleeping arrangements. However those with children in other houses are of course welcome to move if they wish. I hope you will all find the situation adequate. If problems should arise, I'll be only too happy to help in any way I can. The Prefects and Head Boy and Girl, I trust will help our guests to their appropriate houses. I wish you all a pleasant afternoon."

Having concluded his speech, Dumbledore moved back down the stairs to talk to some of the eager parents.

As Sirius had no family to escort up to the Gryffindor tower, he tagged along with the Potters and the Lupins, showing them the entrance, behind the Fat Lady's portrait, and telling them the new password "Butterbeer."

Once all the new Gryffindor's were settled, rooms found, bags unpacked, everyone congregated in the common room, laughing and talking. Sirius noticed, to his annoyance, that people kept throwing him sympathetic looks. What was it with Hogwarts? he sighed. Everyone seemed to know your business before you did.

He threw himself down into a comfy armchair in a secluded corner of the room. I don't want anyone's bloody sympathy thank you very much, he thought stubbornly. I've survived living with my temperamental and fanatical parents for the past sixteen years, it's not like they haven't done this to me before!

When a magical old Grandfather clock struck the hour, everyone moved eagerly to the portrait hole. Sirius, however, lagged behind, waiting for the others to disappear.

To his surprise, he wasn't the only one. A girl with long dark curly hair, who had been hidden before, stood up from the sofa by the fireplace. As she turned around, Sirius' stomach gave an unsettling jump.

"Hi," Ebony said, as she made her way over to the portrait hole. The conversation slightly stilted. "Your parents couldn't make it either huh?"

Sirius shookhis head and said "No."

"Mine are busy visiting some distant relative abroad or something and couldn't make it back for the train. Weird how they had to arrive isn't it? she continued.

"Yeah. But the parents have told us that it was part of the experience so that all the families could meet before they got here. Some, of course are Muggles and can't normally see the school as we can see it, so Dumbledore put some kind of charm on the train enabling them to."

"That makes sense I suppose. My parents would have to travel that way as they're both Muggles. They know about magic from what I've told them, but this, well it would probably be a bit mind-boggling."

As they made their way slowly down to the Great Hall, they talked about the events that would be taking place over that coming year. Sirius was shocked to find out that Ebony was a fanatical Quidditch fan, not unlike himself.

As they took their seats in the Great Hall, Remus, who was sitting opposite them, grinned. Sirius threw a bread roll at him, smirking as Remus coughed down the Butterbeer he had just swallowed. Lily, who was sitting nearby, looked at them suspiciously and had just opened her mouth to say something, when James cut in and distracted her. Sirius had never been so thankful to him in his entire life.

After the crowd of students and guests had filled themselves with the finest delicacies Hogwarts had to offer, the remaining crumbs disappeared from their plates, much to the astonishment of Mrs. Lupin.

Dumbledore then stood up to announce that the first special Quidditch match would be starting momentarily. Everyone rose and filed out of the hall and down to the Quidditch pitch.

The pitch, to everyone's amazement, was lit by some unseen source, creating the perfect lighting conditions. Excitement flooded the grounds as everyone took their seats. Like the common rooms and the dining tables, the stands seemed to have been expanded, to accommodate the extra supporters.

An hour and a half of exhilarating nail-biting drama later, James scoring some excellent goals, the golden snitch was finally caught ending the game. A victory for Gryffindor.

Sirius, Remus and Peter hurtled out of the stands to where James now stood, knocking him over.

"Geroff you big oafs," he shouted. His words muffled by Sirius' robes, who was lying on top of him cheering.

"Oh sorry Prongs, got a little over-excited!"

James laughed as Sirius pulled him to his feet and gave him a rough hug. Mr. and Mrs. Potter, who had finally managed to fight through the crowd, laughed at the scene.

"Bloody good son, bloody good." Mr. Potter gave him a quick hug and his mother ruffled his hair.
"Get off," he muttered, slightly embarrassed, as Lily and Ebony arrived. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall not far behind.

Lily's face, Sirius noticed, was rosy with excitement and her penetrating green eyes were sparkling. Even Ebony was now smiling at James rather than scowling, obviously giving her approval due to his superb flying ability.

Something caught Sirius' eye making his blood run cold. Pushing through the crowd, he could see his younger brother Regulus and behind him were his mother and father.

James, Remus and Peter had also caught sight of them, their shouts and cheers dying away sharply.

"I thought they hadn't come!" Remus whispered frantically.

"So did I," Sirius muttered back. His parents and younger brother had finally made it into the clearing.
James called to the crowd - mainly Gryffindors - "We'll be up in a minute." The crowd, taking the hint, departed quickly.

There was a stiff uncomfortable silence. No one moved. Sirius, who was nearly the same height as his father, stood staring at his father's chest, his head bowed slightly. His arms had locked to his sides, every muscle twitching with the strain of standing so stiffly.

Dumbledore finally broke the silence. He walked forwards to shake Mr. Black's hand. The light from the pitch was fading fast. "Shall we take this into the Entrance Hall," he suggested calmly.
Reluctantly, the group headed back towards the castle. No one spoke. Lily glanced up at James' face expectantly, but with a serious look etched across his face, he simply shook his head.

Once inside the hall, the distant echoes of laughter receding, the atmosphere became even more tense and awkward.

"I thought you hadn't come," Sirius finally spoke, though not looking his father in the eye.
"Of course we came," his father snapped, making Sirius tense up even more.

Why did this have to happen now? Sirius thought desperately, and in front of all his friends. We've just won the Quidditch match, we should all be up in the Gryffindor tower celebrating with everyone else.

All of his friends eyes were now focused on him and his parents.

Their coldness toward Sirius startled Mrs. Potter. She had known of course that Sirius had been having problems at home, having had him once arrive in her fireplace unannounced, having traveled by Floo powder, shaking with fright. Still the cold stony glare that his mother gave him had come as a shock. Things were obviously bad, very bad indeed.

Mr. Black's hand rested on his youngest son's shoulder who gazed up at him grinning. Mr. Black acknowledged this, giving him a squeeze, but still staring intently at Sirius.

"I can't believe you're still hanging around with that filthy little Mudblood," Regulus smirked, looking disgustedly at Remus and then glancing at Mrs. Lupin.

"Watch your tongue," Sirius warned automatically. The atmosphere crackling with tension.

"Don't you dare talk to Regulus in that obnoxious manner," his mother shrieked. Sirius flinched at the harshness over her voice. He looked up into his mother's face, looking for any sign of affection, but her stance was rigid, as though he was nothing more to her than a pesky fly that needed to be squashed.

"I waited for you by the gates," Sirius started, desperate to prove himself to his parents. "I waited for you all afternoon. Didn't you arrive on the train?"

"We were one of the first off that awful thing," his father retorted sharply, glancing over to where Dumbledore stood in silence. "Regulus was standing waiting for us on the platform and took us straight to The Three Broomsticks' for a drink to settle your mother's nerves."

"But I thought we'd arranged to meet at the gate-"

"Yes well things change don't they," his father spat, looking at his son in disgust. "You should have used your initiative like your brother."

Regulus smiled wickedly at Sirius and moved his hand up to where his father's rested, knowing full well that it was costing Sirius every effort to keep a hold of his temper.

"And don't you dare start to feel sorry for yourself," continued Mr. Black, his voice rising, echoing around the Entrance Hall. "You're a Black, it's time you started acting like one. Hanging around with Mudbloods and blood traitors, you're a disgrace! Now pull yourself together." His face was livid, contorting with rage, his cold eyes filling with a cruel wild excitement, his voice growing ever louder. "We should have sent you to Durmstrang, at least there, they have theirpriorities straight. Dumbledore's letting everything in here," he growled, looking straight at Remus and Mrs. Lupin.

"Now hold on a minute-" began Professor McGonagall hotly.

"Leave it Minerva, he's allowed to have his opinion, let him finish," Dumbledore interrupted.
A sound like a gun shot rang through the air outside. Professor McGonagall departed hastily to where sound of the of the disturbance had come from. She called back desperately for Dumbledore, who made his excuses and departed with speed.

"God this school is going to the dogs. When I was here-" Mr. Black broke off, seeing his son smirking. Behind him, Sirius heard James hastily change his laugh into a hearty cough and Peter slapping him on his back probably grinning too.

"Don't you dare smirk at me you ungrateful little sod. What's so funny huh, you think I can't take a joke."

He moved towards Sirius, who instinctively took a step back. He looked desperately at his mother for help, but she just stood still staring at him coldly. Regulus stood by her side, grinning wildly like it was all some sort of game.

Mr. Black, noticing his son's attention wander, made a grab for his arm, grasping it like a vice and wrenching him towards himself. Sirius could feel his father's heavy repulsive breath on his face. He tried to turn away, but his father, with his free hand, grabbed his chin, and forcing Sirius to look at him.

"How dare you belittle me, especially in front of that." He pointed sharply at Remus.

Sirius saw Remus' shocked and hurt face, James beside him was looking panic-stricken, not knowing what to do. He could see Peter half-hiding behind the others, fearful of being singled out. Finally his gaze fell on Lily and Ebony, who were both looking terrified, willing the parents to do something.

"Let go of me!" Sirius protested, struggling to break free from his father's grasp.

"I haven't finished with you yet!" Mr. Black snarled.

"Yes you have Black!" Mr. Potter broke in, his voice calm, but firm.

"Stay out of this. It's none of your business."

"I can't do that," Mr. Potter replied, taking a step forward. "Sirius, are you okay."

Sirius hesitated, looking up into his father's face. "Well are you boy," his father snapped, his grasp tightening around his son's arm.

"Yes sir," Sirius mumbled, grimacing with pain.

"See he's fine. Now keep your nose out of where it's not wanted," Mr. Black retorted, looking at Mr. Potter with the deepest loathing.

"You know we can't do that," Mr. Lupin interjected, standing by Mr. Potter's side. "Let Sirius go. It's been a long day, I think we could all do with some-"

"Don't you dare tell us what we need, you disgusting blood traitor," Mrs. Black shrieked, whisking into action, standing beside her husband. "This is our business, we don't butt into yours and you'd do well not to butt into ours."

Sirius, who's jaw was starting to hurt under his father's clenched hand, could see Mr. Lupin balling up his fists, desperately trying to control his temper. Noticing his parents's attention was being directed elsewhere, Sirius wrenched his jaw free and desperately fought against his father's grip around his arm.

"No you don't," his father shouted, grabbing him by his hair.

"OWW, GET OFF!" Sirius protested, tears streaming down his face, fighting anything he could make contact with and finally finding and stamping on his father's foot.

"Why you little-"

"STOP!" Professor McGonagall cried, hurtling back in through the front doors. Dumbledore, managing to block her way, made a grab for his wand.

Mr. Black wasn't listening to her though. He had rounded on Sirius, who was still struggling helplessly, and threw him away from himself. At the same time Dumbledore shouted "Stupefy."
Mr. Black's physical appearance disguised his real strength. Before being caught by Dumbledore's spell and collapsing on the floor, he had managed to launch his son across the room. Sirius hit the far wall facing the Great Hall and crumpled to the floor in shock, blood trickling down his face.

Mrs. Black fell to the floor, leaning over her husband, shrieking "What have you done, what have you done, you stupid old fool!"

"He'll be fine." Dumbledore returned sharply before turning to Professor McGonagall who was shaking her head in disbelief. "Minerva, will you please escort Mr. and Mrs. Black and Regulus up to the hospital wing.

"Certainly Professor." With a disapproving look, she pulled out her wand, conjured up a floating stretcher for Mr. Black, and led them all up the marble staircase and out of sight.

Sirius lay where he had fallen, not looking anyone in the eye, feeling humiliated and ashamed. Dumbledore walked over and bent down in front of him before quietly saying, "I think you had better come up to my office." He smiled reassuringly, though the smile wasn't reflected in his eyes.

Sirius said nothing. He struggled to his feet, looking down at the floor, avoiding everybody's anxious gaze. He followed Dumbledore up the marble staircase and off down a corridor.
They walked in silence. Rounding the corner, they met a very fraught looking Professor McGonagall, who was dashing towards them. She swerved to a halt beside them.

"Oh thank goodness! Madam Pomfrey needs you right away Professor."

She gave a sideways glance at Sirius. Dumbledore, understanding what she meant asked, "Minevra, will you take Sirius to your office please. I will be back momentarily." And with that, he turned and hurried off up to the hospital wing, his robes and long silvery hair billowing out behind him.

Professor McGonagall watched until he was out of sight and then led Sirius to her office.
He trudged inside the darkened room, still looking at the floor, tears spilling down his cheeks. He brushed them away angrily as he stood waiting for Dumbledore's return. Professor McGonagall looked at him not knowing what to do or say. Suddenly, as if on gut instinct, she drew him up into her arms and hugged him.

Normally, Sirius thought, he would have died before letting a teacher hug him, but tonight, he realised, he didn't care. He needed something, anything, just to make him feel real. To show him that he did exist, to prove to himself he wasn't just a figment of his imagination and that people cared, even if his parents didn't.

When Dumbledore returned, he had brought a slightly flushed looking Madam Pomfrey. She forced Sirius into a chair, tilting his head back, to get a better look at his wounds. Clucking her tongue as she went, she soothed them with some ointment, looking at him with a sad expression pulled tightly across her normally stern, if not good-humoured, face.

"There you go, all done. You might have a bruise for a couple of days," she spoke pointing at his forehead. "There's nothing I can do about that I'm afraid. Otherwise you'll be fine." With that she left the room, closely followed by Professor McGonagall.

Once they had left, Dumbledore sat down opposite Sirius, looking thoughtful for a while. Sirius continued to stare intently at the floor, which blurred in front of his watery eyes. A single stray tear escaped from them. Dumbledore, noticing this, reached over for a tin of biscuits that was perched on the end of Professor McGonagall's desk, and offered him one which he took gratefully.
"Sirius, it's not your fault," Dumbledore began softly. "You've nothing to be ashamed of."

"But, but I, I..." he trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"We all have to make choices Sirius. Your family choose to believe in the 'supposed' supremacy of pure bloods. I'm not saying that it is right or wrong. It's their personal choice, and one day you're going to have to make that choice for yourself."

"But it would rip the family apart if I don't agree."

"I'm not saying the choice will be easy. Decisions never are, no matter what you choose! You have to make the choice that is right for you. Remember Sirius, no matter what choice you make, you'll always have a family."

"What do you mean?" Sirius looked up, thoroughly confused.

"Ahh." Dumbledore smiled. "You'll work it out, when you're ready! Now, I think it's about time you get up to the Gryffindor tower before someone sends out a search party. Undoubtedly James, Remus and Peter will be waiting for you. Here, have another biscuit for the walk," Dumbledore smiled and this time it was reflected in his eyes.

"Thank you," Sirius replied weakly. He opened the door and left the office, heading for the Gryffindor tower, still puzzled by the Headmaster's cryptic message.

When he arrived, the Gryffindor party was in full swing. Not really in the mood for celebrating anymore, he slipped silently across the room, heading for the dormitories.

On the way, he bumped into James, who looked at him worriedly. "I'm fine," Sirius muttered. "Go and have fun, I need to be alone for a while."

With that he made his way up to his dormitory, climbed onto his bed and drew the hangings. The tears that had been welling up inside his chest all evening finally broke free.