Disclosure Hp belongs to JKR. The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
THC Round 1-
House: Slytherin
Class: Muggle Studies
Category: Drabble
Prompts: [ Action] Laying in the grass - [Last Line] "[He/she/name] welcomed the opportunity for a fresh start."
Word count: 993
Tittle: Sirius and Karma
Thanks to my team for their Beta support.
Author's Note: Sirius escaped the Veil thanks to an enemy, but he had to promise to keep it a secret and go far away. He decided to go to the Muggle side, where an old farmer offered him a job and more. He made a surprising discovery making him question his Karma. But a while later, fond memories of the Marauders and laying in the grass with a pretty witch helped him decide; that maybe he was wrong about his Karma. Happy that instead of death he had another chance, Sirius welcomed the opportunity for a fresh start.
Sirius and Karma
Exhausted from running, Sirius went through an entrance to the Muggle world. Remembering his Muggle Studies, he folded some of his clothes. Then, he started walking on a road, wishing he had a broom. Indeed, Sirius was tired, hungry, and thirsty but couldn't use his wand.
Despite the inconveniences, Sirius knew he was lucky. This night, Lucius, an enemy, covertly stopped him at the edge of the Veil. Later, Lucius returned to rescue him, using a spell only known to the Malfoy family. Since Lucius didn't want to risk his neck any further, Sirius had to promise to go as far away as possible, use his wand sparingly, not contact anyone and lay low for a while. Lucius wished him luck and, before leaving, gave Sirius a purse full of Galleons.
Near dawn, a farmer saw Sirius and stopped his old noisy truck. "Young man, get in; you look tired. I can give you a lift, but only to the next town."
Sirius was grateful and climbed in, unsure what to do. "Have some coffee; you could use it." He said, giving Sirius a metal bottle.
Sirius opened it and was surprised to find hot, milky coffee, without magic. "Thanks, it's good."
"You're welcome. You aren't from around here, right? You seem to be in trouble; I have seen that face before. I tell you what, my son died some months ago, and I could use a bit of help to work my land and with my cattle. What do you say? I am only picking up cattle feed and going back. I must say your face looks familiar, but at my age, many people do." He chuckled.
Sirius nearly kissed the older man; maybe his Karma was changing. This place was isolated, and it was unlikely that magical people would be around. "Thanks, I can help, but I might need to learn." Sirius knew that he would, without a wand.
The man grinned, "Ah, I see, you are a gentleman. No matter, you will learn fast."
Sometime later, they arrived at an old estate. The house was a well-kept old manor, so much for a farm. The man was no farmer. He seemed to live alone, but for a couple of dogs, an old cook, and another older lady.
They ate a hearty breakfast. They had eggs, bacon, mushrooms, beans, homemade bread, and hot tea; everything tasted like heaven. The cook deciding Sirius was famished, kept the food coming. When finished, they unloaded the truck by a barn. Sirius saw only old cows and equally old horses in the barn. Sirius could see the 'cattle' were his pets with their names written on their stalls. The pretend farmer has pretend cattle, Sirius thought.
They let the and horses out into a large fenced area to clean the stalls. Sirius also saw a few chickens and a fat cat; the dogs laid for a nap, and the cat joined them, like old friends. He laughed at the rooster, wanting attention and following Sirius wherever he went. My familiar, Sirius grinned.
They worked for a couple of hours, and when finished, the farmer put his hand on Sirius's shoulder, "Son, why don't you walk around and come back in a few hours. We will work in the vegetable garden. Today is a good day if you fancy a nap under the sun. We will get my son's room ready for you; he was about your size, so feel free to use his clothes and whatever else you may need. I'd like that." Sirius felt a genuinely welcoming wave of affection; Mr. Riddle's kindness gave him hope.
"Yes, sir, thank you for everything, but first, let me introduce myself, "I am James White. Please to meet you." Sirius waited, feeling bad about lying, but he wanted to be cautious.
"I am Francis Thomas Riddle, named after my uncle. He wasn't a good man, abandoned his wife and son, always thinking he was better than everyone else." He stretched his hand, and Sirius shook it, remembering Muggle Studies, hoping the man wouldn't notice how cold it was.
He must be related to the Dark Lord; my bad Karma at work, Sirius thought, and for a second, he almost ran. Instead, they talked a little more. When Sirius walked away, he reasoned Fate was at work; who knew, maybe he could learn something to help defeat Voldemort. He wondered if the Gaunt's homestead was nearby, hopefully not.
He shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. He smiled when he passed a building with several expensive-looking Muggle cars, remembering the old noisy truck. The place was beautiful, with many green trees, a gazebo, wild gardens full of flowers, an orchard, and a pond. The sun shone, and the air smelled clean. Tears of gratitude rolled down his eyes; he was alive and safe.
Sirius walked a little more and found a meadow. The grass looked inviting, reminding Sirius of happier times with the Marauders and the time 'laying in the grass' with a pretty Hufflepuff in a place just like it. He grinned, thinking about the witch, too bad she left Hogwarts.
He sat on the soft grass, then took off his shoes, socks, and the worn-out working coat the Muggle gave him. His eyes were closing, so he rolled the work coat as a pillow, placed his wand inside, and lay down. Putting a hand under his head, Sirius looked at the blue sky. The sun was bright and warm, and he could hear birds singing, soothing his injured soul and erasing last night's darkness and horrors.
Sirius was nearly asleep when he decided to accept Mr. Riddle's generous offer. He had a place to sleep, food, and good company. He would have to be away from Harry, but only for a time. Yes, he would stay. Why not? He knew his Karma was changing, so gratefully, Sirius welcomed the opportunity for a fresh start.
A/N I will back to it, soon. The rating might change.