Hey guys! :) Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! :)
Thank you for your comments Guest and lilyflower101! I am so glad you enjoy this story!
Still working on chapter 15, I recently found this website where you can download old computer games from the 2000's, so I've been spending lots of time playing The Sims (the orginial one was the best one!) :D :D
He curled his lips, not even trying to hide his disdain, "your Daddy sent you, eh?", he sneered, "my answer's still the same, tell him that."
Black just blinked, looking confused, "I…no one sent me, I just wanted…"
"I get it now, you just wanted to come here and mock me- go ahead then, I don't give a shit what you think about me, Black."
"My name is Sirius."
"Is it now?", Tom was still sneering, "get lost. I don't need you standing there staring at me like I'm some animal at the zoo."
To his surprise, the boy lowered his gaze, "I am sorry", he mumbled, "I did not mean to…stare. I was just…curious."
"About what?"
"Well, Father and Aurelius were talking about you this morning when they thought I was not there, and they said that you were down here…so…uhm…"
"So you wanted to see the shitshow with your own eyes, am I right?"
The younger boy visibly flinched, "you should not talk like that, it will only get you in trouble."
"I'm already locked up like some wild beast, so how much more trouble can I get in?"
Black stifled a smile, "good point."
There was a silence, and eventually, Tom sighed, "so, how long is he gonna keep me down here for?"
"Until you apologize."
"And if I don't?"
The boy blinked, "what do you mean? Aren't you hungry? And cold? That blanket does not offer much protection at night."
"You sound like you know what you're talkin' about."
Black swallowed, "I do."
Tom's eyes widened in shock, "you…you're saying he…he's done the same to you? Like…you were in here?"
"Multiple times, actually", the boy told him, "it was worse in the beginning when I was still so angry about…everything, and of course after Daddy got sick, Father has not been…he's not very patient anymore."
"No kidding", he sounded sarcastic, "how long were you in here for?"
"The last time was right after Daddy had gotten ill- I was so worried about him, and I did not sleep well at night, so my assignments were all a huge mess, and Father got upset with me. I got spanked, and then he brought me down here. I lasted half a day, and then I begged him to take me back upstairs. I cannot stand being locked up, not after…Azkaban."
Tom bit his lips, surprised by the sudden amount of guilt he was feeling, "how…how old are you?"
"I'm ten."
"And…all your old memories are…gone?"
"Most of them, yes- I still remember the important parts though. A small part of my brain is still an adult in a way."
Tom nodded, he could relate to that.
"Uhm…you should probably get going, if he finds you down here, you'll get a lickin' for sure."
The boy shook his head, "Father is gone- he's working. Aurelius is too. I'm all by myself."
"They leave you alone like that?", he did not know much about families, but he had always assumed that they would not leave the children by themselves.
"Yes, all the time", and he could have sworn Black looked…sad now, "Father is busy with Hogwarts, and the trials for the Death Eaters, and all that mess Dumbledore left behind- and he's talking to Healers all around the world to find a cure for Daddy, and Aurelius is doing most of Daddy's job now, so yeah…I'm alone a lot."
"What about…Salazar?"
The boy shrugged, and now he looked downright miserable, "he sleeps most of the time- and I have to be quiet upstairs, he cannot bear any loud noises. I used to be able to play in the playroom, but Father does not allow me to do that anymore- it's too loud."
"That's just stupid, this house is a freakin' mansion, there's no way he could hear you!"
"I know…but that's what Father said."
"Why do you call him Father anyways? Sounds really weird."
"We used to call him Dad- but after Daddy got sick, he…he said it sounded ridiculous, and he said we are too old for that nonsense."
"He's an idiot."
This time, Sirius did smile, "he means well- but yeah, it's not how it used to be anymore. I just wish…Daddy would get better, and that Father can be happy again."
Tom did not know what to say to that, so they just looked at each other in silence for a while.
Eventually, his stomach grumbled, loudly, and Tom blushed, "uhm…sorry 'bout that. Haven't eaten anything today."
Sirius nodded in understanding, "you have to drink a lot of water."
"I…I know."
Another silence.
"You…you don't think you could…bring me…you know…", he had to force himself to say it, but the hunger was about to drive him crazy.
"Father would kill me."
Tom groaned, "yeah, I shouldn't…that was stupid. I'll just…I can handle it."
"You need to apologize."
"I didn't do anything wrong. He basically kidnapped me, I don't even wanna be here! And I don't know how Bacon's doing, no one tells me anything…"
"Don't worry, Bacon is doing good. Aurelius told me you have a dog, he's real tiny though."
"He's just a puppy."
"He's outside in the shed with the other dogs- they have it nice and warm in there."
"Why can't he be inside?"
"The noise- it has to be quiet for Daddy."
"Yeah, you said that…", Tom bit his lips, "can you…keep checking on him? Just…pet him and stuff?"
I cannot believe I have to ask Black for help now- fuck my life.
"I can do that- I hang out with the dogs all the time when I feel…lonely."
Tom was at a loss for words again, this Sirius Black was not all like he had expected him to be- and it confused him. It confused him big time.
"Shouldn't you be mad at me?", he blurted out before he could stop himself, "I mean cause I…"
"I used to be", the boy responded, a thoughtful expression on his face, "I was angry all the time before I got adopted. And drunk. I blamed everyone for everything, and when Remus started a relationship with Snape, it really…hurt me. I showed up at Snape's house completely drunk one night, and started yelling and screaming, and Snape contacted Salazar and Godric, and they decided to take me in. They deaged me with some extremely nasty potion, and then they adopted me to give me a second chance. That was four months ago."
"Wait, you're saying, Lupin…and Snape? Snape? As in Severus Snape?"
Sirius grinned, "I know, right? I was shocked, too. Apparently, they had been going out for a while but kept it a secret- and it helped me to realize that it does not help to live in the past. I helped me to move on. I cannot hate you forever for killing James and Lily, and I cannot change it- so I decided to let it go and focus on being happy instead of being angry."
"You…don't really talk like you're ten."
Sirius laughed, "I am spending too much time around Aurelius, his wisdom is rubbing off I guess", he sounded fond, "he's been helping me a lot actually."
"Can't say the same- he brought me down here. He's been nothing but an asshole to me."
"He's very strict, I know", Sirius admitted, "but only because he cares. He's a very good big brother."
"Good for you", he was being sarcastic, "I'm just glad he's not my big brother- I don't need no family."
"Everyone needs a family."
"I don't."
Sirius tilted his head, "I should probably get going- are you going to be okay until later?"
"Later? Your father is not gonna come til tomorrow morning."
Sirius looked like he was about to say something, but then he just closed his mouth, and Tom got the feeling Sirius knew something that he did not know- and it annoyed him.
"I'll be just fine down here", he said, harsher than intended, "just go back to your precious family", he spat out the last word like it was an insult, and Sirius did look hurt for a moment, but then he silently turned around and walked down the hallway.
Shit.
Tom debated just calling after him, but then he snorted. He was not going to say sorry to Sirius freaking Black of all people- what did he say about Aurelius? He's a very good big brother? Yeah, screw that- this family was full of idiots.
He drank some more water, and then he found a tiny piece of rock and managed to draw something on the ground, it was hard work, but at least it gave him something to do.
After he had gotten tired, he drank more water and used the toilet, and just when he was laying down again, feeling dizzy from the hunger, he could hear footsteps again.
His heart started to beat faster, and he wanted to sit up, but he was too nauseous- so he just stayed on the bed, pretending to look casual.
Maybe Black changed his mind and is bringing me some food?
The thought was exciting, and his stomach rumbled again.
"Hungry, little boy?"
Oh hell no!
Aurelius was standing in front of his cell, smiling at him, "are you ready to be a good boy now and behave?"
Tom bit his lips, and then he turned his head to the wall, avoiding to look at the older boy, "I've got nothing to say to you."
He wanted to though- he wanted nothing more than to get out of here and eat, the thought of spending another night down here making him want to burst out in tears- but he couldn't. He just couldn't.
He's gonna think I am weak, and then he's gonna hate me even more.
"I figured- you are one stubborn boy, aren't you?", he did not sound angry though, "you have been here longer than you should already, Thomas."
"I'm not going to say sorry. I won't."
"I know", Aurelius sighed, and then he waved his hand, and the lock opened, "but you need to eat, little boy. I cannot let you stay down here any longer, because I have the feeling you would rather pass out than apologize, hmm?"
"Yeah."
"Stubborn boy", he repeated, and now he sounded amused, "come on, you need to eat- and take a nice, warm bath."
His eyes lit up, but he did not move, "I…I'm fine. I rather…stay here."
Aurelius laughed softly, "my Father is not here, Thomas- no need to show any false pride."
"He's gonna kill you if you let me out- or is this some kind of trap?"
"It's not- my father is going to be working late, so he asked me to take care of you."
"I don't need anyone to take care of me. I am just fine on my own."
Aurelius merely raised an eyebrow, "let's go then- you know you cannot stay here, little boy."
"Not…little", he mumbled, and then he tried to get up, but with growing horror, he had to realize that his body did not do what he wanted it to do- he could barely sit up before the dizziness became too much, and he felt so weak, and tired, and everything was turning…
"I…just need a minute", hot shame crept up his neck, and then he tried to get up again- failing.
I am just fine on my own.
His harsh words were ringing in his ears like a mockery, and he forced the tears back, trying again to get up from his bed.
He wanted to scream in helpless rage when his third attempt failed as well, and before he could try again, Aurelius had easily picked him up, "easy there, Thomas", he murmured, "that's exactly why I am not letting you stay down here a second longer- you need to eat, little boy."
"I am not little! I am big! I can handle myself!", he hissed, even though it was obvious that he could not- he was getting carried like a small boy by Aurelius after all, and he did not know what to do about that, so he just started to squirm.
"Shhh…calm down. Just put your head on my shoulder…just like that. Good boy."
Tom stilled at the praise, stifling a smile.
"I don't like you", he told Aurelius, needing him to know that, and the older boy chuckled in amusement, "I would never have guessed, Thomas", he smiled at him, carefully carrying him back upstairs, and the warmth and the noises greeting him made him exhale deeply.
"You are going to have some dinner first", Aurelius told him, carrying him into the dining hall, "I don't want you to get a stomachache, so we will start with some soup."
We will?
Tom blinked in confusion, but it all started to make sense when Aurelius sat down at the table with him on his lap, gently pulling him into a sitting position, "open up, Thomas."
"No, I…", he was not able to finish his sentence because Aurelius took the opportunity and gently showed a spoon with soup into his mouth, "eat up, little boy."
He did eat, the humiliation of being fed making him lash out, "don't call me that! I am not a little boy! I can eat on my own! Don't fucking need you!"
"I can find another name for you, no problem", Aurelius just said calmly, and Tom suddenly wished he had kept his mouth shut- any other name would surely be something mocking, something cruel- and something that would make him miserable.
He did not say anything for a while, just letting Aurelius spoon-fed him the soup, which tasted amazing- the flavors just exploded in his mouth, and he kept eating hungrily, and then Aurelius started to feed him small, warm pieces of bread, and when Tom leaned forward greedily to grab it, Aurelius hummed, instantly taking the bread away.
"No! I want more!"
Aurelius did not respond, determined to let the boy figure it out by himself, and when Tom eventually leaned back again in obvious frustration, he started feeding him again.
Tom stared at him, chewing the bread- and then he leaned forward once more, and Aurelius stopped immediately.
The boy flushed, and Aurelius saw that he had balled his hands into fists, the anger clearly visible.
"I know…it's hard, but it will get easier", he told the boy quietly, and Tom sobbed, and then he slowly leaned back again, giving in.
"Good boy."
He was going to reward him for being so obedient- and he knew exactly what would make the boy happy.
He ended up feeding him a whole loaf of bread, and when Tom's chewing eventually slowed, he decided that the boy had had enough.
He made him drink a big glass of pumpkin juice, and then he got up again, still carrying Tom, who was quietly snuggled into him now, feeling full and sated.
"There's someone who would like to see you", he told him, making his way to the patio, "someone's been waiting for you."
He saw Tom's ears perking up, "want to take a guess?"
"Salazar, maybe?", the boy sounded hesitant, clearly not expecting to see his dog anymore, and Aurelius pulled him closer, "that someone is very small, has a very wet nose, a tail that is way too long, and…"
"Bacon!", the boy blurted out, his voice radiating happiness, "you are letting me see Bacon!"
"Indeed I am", Aurelius smiled, and then he carried the boy to the shed, it had gotten cold, so he walked quickly.
The shed was warm- and there were three dogs, the two guard dogs they kept, and Bacon- the puppy was playing, trying to catch his- way too long- tail, and the boy started to squirm as soon as he saw him, and Aurelius carefully put him down.
"Bacon!"
The puppy let out a loud, excited bark, and then they both started running at the same time.
"I missed you! I missed you so much! How have you been? Are the other dogs nice to you? Did you sleep well? Do you get enough to eat?", the boy bombarded him with questions, while the puppy climbed in his lap, barking with pure joy.
Aurelius was watching them silently, an odd expression on his face. He did not say anything when Tom and Bacon started to roll around on the ground, laughing and barking, the boy obviously not caring that he dirtied up his pajamas even more while doing that, but when Tom started to make a pile out of hay for the puppy to jump in, Aurelius stepped forward, "it's time for your bath, Thomas", he announced calmly, "let's go."
"I wanna stay here! I can sleep in here!", the boy declared, "you just go, I'm fine!"
"You need to take a bath, Thomas."
The boy looked at him, the familiar glint of defiance in his eyes, "says who? You're not my brother, you can't tell me shit."
"I am older than you, though."
The boy was glaring at him now, "I don't want to leave Bacon! I want to stay here!"
"You have three seconds to come over here- or you are getting spanked."
The boy sobbed, "no!"
"One."
"Just let me stay with Bacon! I won't be no trouble in here!"
Aurelius stifled a smile, "you can visit Bacon tomorrow morning- and that's two."
The boy trembled, obviously debating what to do- and eventually, he sobbed again, and then he came running over, "I hate you!"
"Bath time now", Aurelius responded, seemingly unmoved, "let's go, Thomas."
They left the shed, and Aurelius could tell that the boy was furious, and hurt- but he could not allow the puppy inside the house, his Dad needed all the peace and quiet he could get.
He led the younger boy upstairs, not bothering to take him by the hand- he knew how to pick his battles with the boy by now.
They made their way to the bathroom, and Sirius was already there, patiently waiting for them. The bathtub was filled with water and bubbles, and Tom felt a sudden longing to play with the bubbles, even though he was still upset that Aurelius did not let him play with Bacon any longer.
"I am going to get you boys some pajamas- go ahead and get in the water. I'll be right back", Aurelius informed them calmly, and Tom watched, somehow annoyed, how Sirius instantly obeyed the older boy by taking off his clothes, and then he neatly placed them in the laundry hamper by the window.
Little goody-goody.
"You always do what he says, eh?", he could not help but sneer at the younger boy, "baths are stupid."
"I like taking baths", Sirius simply replied, getting into the tub, "are you coming in or what? Relius will spank you if you disobey him like that."
Tom swallowed hard, "so?"
Sirius looked at him silently for a moment, and then he pointed at the bubbles, "would you like to help me build a tower out of bubbles? I never get past one or two levels."
Tom snorted, "towers are easy- how 'bout we build a skyscraper?"
"I don't know how to do that."
"I'll show you", and then Tom hastily took his dirty pajamas off, and he even dumped them in the laundry hamper, and then he took a seat opposite from Sirius in the huge bathtub. The water was nice and warm, and he liked the feeling of the soft bubbles on his skin, and he felt himself relax.
They started piling the bubbles on top of each other, and for some reason, it made Tom strangely happy that Sirius imitated exactly what he did, "that's gonna be a decent skyscraper", he told the younger boy, and Sirius smiled, "you weren't really surprised to see me earlier- did you tell Aurelius to let me out?"
Sirius shook his head.
"Then how did you know you would see me later?"
"I know Aurelius- I knew he would not let you sit there all night", Sirius just said, concentrating on the pile of bubbles, "we need more bubbles."
"I'll have some more over here", Tom showed some bubbles at Sirius, and the boy's smile widened, and it gave Tom all the encouragement he needed to take it to the next level, "there's a hurricane! The skyscraper is gonna fall!", and he started to splash water at the skyscraper out of bubbles, and soon, the floor next to the tub was soaking wet.
"Everyone seek shelter! Hurricane coming!", he splashed harder, and even though Sirius knew that they were being too loud, he had to laugh, the sound happy and joyful, "this is fun!"
"It's the worst hurricane of the century!", Tom yelled, and now bubbles and water were splashing everywhere, and of course Aurelius had to come back right then- and the look on his face meant trouble.
Shit!
lol...poor tom ;)
if you liked it (or not), please leave a little comment for me :)
Thank you!
Antonie
