September First 1971, Hogwarts Express

Sirius was sitting alone when a young boy, his age, entered his compartment. The boy was average height, had black messy hair, hazel eyes and black round glasses. His name? James Potter. A Potter. Sitting with a Black. Sirius closed his eyes. What would his parents do about this? Sirius shrugged off the thought. Just then, another boy entered the compartment. Amber eyes, light brown hair, and scars all over his face. Sirius couldn't take his eyes off of the kid. He was gorgeous.

"I'm Sirius Black." He said shyly. The handsome boy left the compartment. So did James.

"Typical. Most people hate my family for our beliefs. It's not like anyone asks me what I think. Everyone assumes I'm the same as my family." Sirius said to himself, determined not to be like his family no matter how bad his parents beat him for it. Sirius sat alone the rest of the day. He was sorted into Gryffindor, and proud of it. Even if his family hated him for it. When Remus, the handsome kid from the train, and James were sorted they were both in Gryffindor too. So Sirius was stuck with them. Stuck with the first two people he met. Stuck with he two who judged Sirius for his family's beliefs before bothering to ask him his own. He went straight to bed once he got into the Common Room. Remus and James didn't follow.

Later that night

Sirius came down the stairs and settled himself in front of the fire. He couldn't sleep, as usual. Nightmares. Of his mother using the Cruciatus Curse on him. And on Regulus, or Reg, as Sirius called him. Reg, of all people. He was ten. Sirius had to protect him. James woke up and noticed Sirius was gone. He came downstairs in hopes of finding Sirius. Sirius was in front of the fire.

"What do you want, Potter?" Sirius snarled. James was the last person Sirius wanted to see after what happened on the train.

"Sirius.." James started.

"Don't. I'm used to it. I'm a Black. Not that anyone bothers to ask me what I think of my family's beliefs. Because if people like you were to ask, you'd know I'm completely different from my family. But no one cares how different I am. My bloody family line taints my reputation before I say a word. Not to mention what my parents are going to do when they see me next." Sirius spat.

"What do you mean? Do they hurt you?" James asked.

"Not that you care." Sirius spat in response. Sirius laid down on the couch, hoping the nightmares would go away for one night. They didn't. Sirius fell asleep, but woke up screaming. As usual. Remus was the first to wake. He sprinted downstairs and saw Sirius on the couch, screaming in his sleep. Remus woke him up.

"Knew I should've gotten a Dreamless Sleep potion from Madam Pomfrey. I was hoping they would go away tonight." Sirius spoke softly to himself as he got up.

"You okay?" Remus asked.

"I'm fine, Lupin. Not that anyone here cares. I'm a Black. Exactly like I told Potter last night when he found me downstairs." Sirius said.

"Sirius." Remus said softly.

"Lupin." Sirius said back. Sirius got up and went upstairs. He changed into his Gryffindor robes and sprinted down to the Great Hall. He ate quickly, and went through his classes without talking much. He flinched at his last name, and went straight to the dorms after lessons. He refused to talk to anyone. Only Madam Pomfrey for some Dreamless Sleep potion. It worked. The nightmares were gone as long as he took the potion once a month. The weeks turned into months, and it was Christmas Break again.

Christmas Break

Sirius got on the train. His parents didn't do anything on the platform, and we're silent the whole walk home. When they got inside, Sirius let himself take the beatings and the curses. As usual. When his father was done beating him, he pulled out his wand as did his mother. They both pointed their wands at Sirius. Sirius knew what was coming and sent his brother upstairs.

"Reg, go upstairs." Sirius said.

"What? No, I'm not leaving you." Regulus responded.

"Now, Reg!" Sirius said. Regulus complied. As soon as Regulus was upstairs..

"Crucio! Crucio, Crucio, Crucio!" His mother shouted. Soon, his dad joined in.

"CRUCIO, CRUCIO, CRUCIO, CRUCIO!" Sirius's dad screamed. His dad's curses always hurt worse. Sirius couldn't stop himself. He screamed, even though he tried to stop himself. His mother and father didn't let up for so long, but Sirius didn't let himself forget who he was. He got this every day until Christmas was over. First the beatings, then the Cruciatus Curses. When he got back to Hogwarts, he desperately needed Madam Pomfrey. He had so many broken bones, and was very weak and malnourished. James and Remus came to see him in the Hospital wing, but not before Sirius was healed or well fed again. Remus sprinted to Sirius's side.

"What happened?" Remus asked.

"Nothing. I fell down the stairs." Sirius responded.

"I have your potions, Mr. Black. Those curses took their toll on you- Oh." Madam Pomfrey stopped, noticing James and Remus.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Black. I didn't know they were there." Madam Pomfrey said.

"For the last time, use my bloody first name. I don't want to associate myself with those Blood Traitors." Sirius snarled.

"They're blood traitors?" James asked.

"We have very different ideas of Blood Traitors, Potter." Sirius said in response.

"To me, a Blood Traitor is a Blood Purist. Someone who treats Muggles, Muggle-Borns and Half-Bloods horribly because of their Blood Status. That's a Blood Traitor to me. So yes, my parents are Blood Traitors.

"Oh." Was all James could say.

"I'll try to keep that in mind, Sirius." Madam Pomfrey replied.

"And as for the apology, don't be sorry. Just be more careful that you look around before you speak because I was very clear that I didn't want anyone to know. I'd be much more angry if it was Dumbledore or a teacher." Sirius said calmly.

"I'll be more careful. You should drink these potions. And if you'd like a restock on Dreamless Sleep.." Madam Pomfrey said.

"Yes please. Just.. Don't tell anyone. About why I'm here, or about the Nightmares." Sirius said.

"Why? Why did this happen?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Not with Potter and Lupin here. Not many people get to know. Or next time I won't come to you no matter how bad I'm hurt. Clear?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah." Madam Pomfrey responded.

"How soon can I start classes?" Sirius asked.

"Soon. In a couple days, no more." Madam Pomfrey responded.

"Alright. How soon can you heal me?" Sirius asked.

"As soon as you're ready." Madam Pomfrey responded with a smile.

"Potter, Lupin, some time please. I don't let many people see me like this. I should've kept my curtains closed. Please." Sirius said. James and Remus nodded and left the Hospital Wing.

"What happened, Sirius?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Cruciatus Curse. Daily. Beatings. Daily. All of break. No food, only water." Sirius answered.

"Why?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Why do you think? I'm a Gryffindor. They found out. I knew it was coming. At least I made sure Reg never watched them do it. I wanna leave that place so badly, but if I do Reg will be left to take the brunt of it. I can't let that happen. And he's not going to leave willingly." Sirius said.

"Just.. Heal me. Please." Sirius said. Madam Pomfrey nodded and healed Sirius. Sirius then went back to the Common Room. Sirius and Remus joined him after classes. They saw him and sprinted to his side.

"I'm sorry for how I've been treating you these last few months." Sirius said.

"We are too. Are you okay?" Remus asked again.

"I'm fine. Like I said, fell down the stairs." Sirius lied. Again.

"What were the curses Madam Pomfrey was taking about, then?" James asked.

"Nothing." Sirius lied.

"I'm not buying it." Remus said.

"Me neither." James said.

"Cruciatus Curse." Sirius whispered.

"Who?" Remus asked.

"My parents." Sirius answered.

"Because I was put in Gryffindor. It's alright, I was expecting it. It was worse than I thought it would be, though. Usually dad just beats me. But this time.. He used the curse too. But.. He was harsher than Mum. Thankfully I made my brother go upstairs before they used the curse, but not before he saw my dad beat me. He didn't want to leave me alone with them. I made him go. I wasn't going to let him watch that. I tried so hard not to scream.. But when you're facing the Cruciatus Curse.. You can't really stop yourself. It's meant to be sadistic. That's why my family uses it on me and my brother when they're angry. Causes the most suffering without long lasting injuries unless they do it for too long. I'm used to it." Sirius said.

"Oh, Sirius." Remus said.

"I'm okay, really. Just.. Don't tell anyone. You weren't supposed to know I was in the Hospital Wing or why. Madam Pomfrey just didn't see you before she started talking." Sirius said.

"We won't tell anyone." James said.

"We won't." Remus agreed.

"I know where you go monthly." Sirius said to Remus.

"No." Remus said.

"Hey, hey. It doesn't matter to me, okay? And I'm not telling a soul." Sirius said.

"Except me, right? James asked.

"Remus?" Sirius asked.

"Tell him." Remus said, with hesitation.

"Remus is a werewolf." Sirius spoke quietly.

"What about Peter? Should we tell Peter?" James asked.

"Sure, we can tell him. Sirius, how did you know?" Remus asked.

"Because I.. I fancy you. And I like looking at the stars, I like being out at night. But.. I couldn't picture you in the moonlight. So I checked the Lunar Charts against the dates you go missing monthly. Any you were always missing on the full moon." Sirius replied with a smirk. He winced as Remus grabbed his hand. He had let the worst injury go unnoticed. But he never showed anyone his wrists. The Glamour Charms may have gotten rid of the marks, but not the pain. But that was how Sirius liked it.

"Sirius.." Remus said softly.

"It's nothing." Sirius said quickly. A little too quickly.

"Those are Glamour Charms. Why are you using Glamour Charms?" Remus asked.

"I.." Sirius said. He was at a loss for words.

"Sirius." Remus said. Sirius removed the charms and let Remus and James see the cuts.

"Don't tell anyone. Please. Least of all Madam Pomfrey. She'd want to heal them and place me on Suicide Watch. I'd.. I'd rather the cuts heal on their own. I'd rather deal with the pain." Sirius said.

"Okay." Remus responded. Remus and James didn't tell anyone.