p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"strongChapter Seventy: The Ride Back/strong/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Sirius stood up on his tiptoes as the students thinned out. He told James they should have waited until most students had left to walk out together but James had insisted they needed to get a good compartment on the train. Feeling rather robbed that he wasn't able to walk across the Hogwarts ground with his three best friends in the whole world he tried to find them. He didn't care if it was sappy or girly he wanted a proper send-off with his mates before they got on the train and he was going to tie down James if that's what it took./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Peter over here Peter." He hollered, however, the shorter boy was soon swallowed by the crowd. He was going to punch James when he saw him!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, at least I found one of you." He grabbed James's hand tightly as the boy motioned for him to keep walking to the train./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius let go we aren't going to get good seats."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I don't care! I want to say goodbye together beforehand."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Oh come off it mate we'll get to say goodbye when we reach the station." James pointed out clearly thinking Sirius was being ridiculous, which he probably was, but luckily he didn't fight him,/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""There's Remus and Peter." Sirius pointed feeling relief. He realized he didn't really care about saying goodbye to the castle with his friends, which was ridiculously airy-fairy. Rather he wanted to stop it, wanted to prevent it as long as possible./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Over here you two. Sirius is being a bit bonkers!" James called happily and the four of them stood together as the students thinned more. They looked at him expectantly but words wouldn't come. He glanced back at the castle his heart aching./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius," Remus said gently. He refused to meet his eyes because he was sure Remus understood and if he saw that understanding he'd probably start crying and then he really would be a mushy swat./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I just wanted to...to to leave our mark somehow." He mumbled feeling foolish./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""James wait where are you going?" Peter asked alarmed and Sirius snapped his head forward his sadness turning to anger as James walked away./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius..." Remus began hesitantly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Don't! It's fine it's just stupid is all." He muttered unsure whether he felt more shame or anger. Then he saw James coming back and dragging a confused Dorcas with him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What are you doing James?" Peter asked for once sounding no more confused than him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well if Sirius is going to be a nutter then we might as well do it right. Dorcas has a camera, will that satisfy you princess." He teased lightly and Sirius flung himself at James pulling him into a headlock and ruffling his hair./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Yeah that's nice and all boys but I want to get on the train to so let's hurry it up." Dorcas sighed sounding resigned./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Thank you, Dorcas," Remus said politely and Sirius caught her pulling out a small camera before James jostled him around trying to pull him into a headlock. Picture momentarily forgotten Sirius wrestled with James both of them trying to headlock the other and both their hair completely messed up by the time Dorcas shouted she'd take a picture of them like this if they didn't stop./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""How should we do this?" Peter asked just as the trains loud whistle indicated ten minutes before departure./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Just come here. Let's all huddle together. Sirius, you look ridiculous." James laughed pointing at his hair. Sirius attempted to smooth it but Dorcas cleared her throat warningly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Yours is no better." He muttered to James as they huddled together and smiled at the camera./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""There." Dorcas shook out the picture and handed it to them./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Why isn't it moving?" Peter asked shaking it a little as if it was broken. Dorcas laughed but walked away as if he'd been making a joke. Sirius didn't understand what was so funny before Remus pointed out it was a muggle camera and the pictures it took didn't move./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""That's no fun!" Sirius cried taking the picture from Peter. He had to admit it was a nice picture though, even if he and James looked a bit ridiculous with their hair sticking up all over the place./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, then next time we need to get one infused with a developing potion. I'm sure my dad has one I can borrow." James pointed out grinning. Sirius punched his arm grinning./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Next time? I thought I was just being a nutter?" He asked poking James' cheek who half-heartedly swatted his hand away laughing./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Oh make no mistake you are a nutter!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Seconded!" Remus said a little too quickly. He shot an irritated look at his friend who smirked, but he avoided Remus' eyes still not sure he wouldn't burst out into tears./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Third ...er thirded?" Peter agreed and James laughed louder./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""So it's unanimous. You're most definitely are a nutter." James threw his arm over Sirius' shoulder so as they started walking they had to be careful not to fall./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""But you're our nutter and if taking a picture at the end of every year stops you from losing your marbles then that's fine." Sirius laughed and pretended to try to trip James./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You just don't want to admit you like the idea!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, I like it. My mum will probably put it up on the fridge." Peter said excitedly. Remus mumbled something but Sirius couldn't hear what it was over the sound of the Hogwarts express giving one last warning whistle. James untangled himself from Sirius and they took off running shouting hurried goodbyes to Hagrid who beamed at them and told them to have good summers. Then they were on the train and the search for an open apartment seemed futile until Peter finally found one leading to much cheering and relief from the four of them. To keep his mind off of going home Sirius sent to work figuring out how to make three copies of the picture with his wand, even if it was boringly still./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"However, the train was going too fast. Far too fast. He squirmed in his seat as someone announced they'd be reaching KingsCross Station soon. He felt a little ill and tried to focus on how he'd see Regulus, at least he'd see Regulus. James was doing a spectacular job of keeping him and Remus distracted from their thoughts, he seemed to realize how necessary it was./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"But no matter how many funny stories James told or ridiculous tales he concocted the inevitable still happened and the train stopped right on time. They hesitated to move, no one daring to be the first. Remus was looking pale but the determined look was in his eyes and Sirius convinced himself that would mean he'd be just fine./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well as much as I like you lot I don't want to sit here staring at your ugly mugs all day." Sirius teased and it broke the tension in the air. James replied quickly that Sirius' mug was the ugliest by far and Remus got up pulling down his luggage from the top of the compartment and helping Peter with his as well. Before Sirius could do the same James was hugging him tightly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Now whose bonkers." He mumbled into James' shoulder but hugged him back tightly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Write loads and don't piss off your mum. Got it?"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Got it."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""And come to visit you have to visit."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I will mate I will." James let him go looking a bit embarrassed but then pulled Peter into a hug and then Remus though Sirius realized he was hugging him much more gently than he had anyone else./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Be careful Remus." He heard him whisper to Remus whose face had gone rather pink as the still far too mysterious boy hesitated but hugged James back./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I will." He assured him quietly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""And if anything happens. If you get hurt you can come to my place. No questions asked I promise. Just...just actually come if you get hurt ok?" Sirius blinked a few times and scrubbed his eyes angrily. Stupid James just had to start crying now! Remus nodded looking close to tears himself. Bloody hell if he started crying he wasn't sure he'd stop! He wanted to hug Remus too but he didn't think he'd let go of him if he did. So instead he said in a purposely gruff tone for them all to stop being wusses and to have great summers. He gave them a wave turning around determined not to let them see the fear in his eyes. A quick painless goodbye is what it would have to be because he knew he just couldn't handle anything more but as he opened the door of their compartment to leave he ran into someone who ruined what would have been a painless, mostly painless goodbye on his part./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"He could feel the tension in the air as his friends shifted before he even realized who he ran into./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""About time icky Sirius comes home." He felt himself go numb and had to remind himself frantically that in a train full of students and prefects his cousin Bellatrix couldn't hurt him, she couldn't. But that didn't stop her from shoving him back into the compartment the tip of her wand digging painfully into his side./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Let's not do anything stupid now boys or I'll make sure my hex is a nasty one!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""How did you even get on the train?" James asked angrily and Sirius wouldn't be surprised if all his friends had their wands pointed at Bellatrix, well maybe not Peter because he was making fearful noises and Peter would probably faint if she didn't leave the now cramped compartment soon./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I walked right on. I was a student recently just said I had some friends to see." She laughed then, one of her crazy sort of scary laughs. Sirius felt cold surely they didn't just let her on! True she was a student until she graduated two weeks prior to today, all the seventh years left earlier than the other students and Sirius had been relieved of that so that she wouldn't be on the train with them./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Leave him alone," Remus said in a low voice that almost sounded like a growl. Sirius felt himself shudder and tried to move but his cousin just latched onto his shoulder hard. He glanced up and her and felt cold at the hate in her gaze no longer directed at him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't dare do anything to me you filthy mudblood." Sirius tried to catch someone's eyes outside of their compartment. Students were passing in the halls of the train but they were all talking to themselves and no one noticed them. Someone had to notice them, they had too! Even with a bunch of students, Sirius didn't know what Bellatrix would do when she sounded like that!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't get away with hurting him." James pointed out but he sounded nervous, very nervous./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Of course I would." She giggled again and she really sounded insane!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I have friends in high places~" She sang somehow making even that sound threatening. Sirius' heart was racing if she hurt any of his friends...if she hurt him. He was trying to think clearly but all he could think of was how no matter what happened if Bellatrix did something stupid and got in trouble it would be his fault and he'd end up with the dementor./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Then you'll be hexed back. James knows some pretty nasty ones isn't that right James." Remus sounded nervous too but there was an edge to his voice as he addressed Bellatrix with as much calm as he could muster./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella..." He made the sound come out of his mouth Remus' bravery encouraging his own./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You can punish me later without risking getting hexed or in trouble." He forced himself to say and ignored Peter's horrified gasp and James' sound of disgust and anger./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Awww icky little Sirius wants to protect his filthy little friends." Then she shoved him back into James and Remus who caught him. He was sure she'd leave but when he looked up at her she had her wand pointed at Remus instead. No one dared to breathe. Remus had lowered his wand with James to catch Sirius, a stupid mistake, and like he predicted Peter had never drawn his wand. Peter instead had collapsed back into his seat and looked like he might throw up. Remus met Bellatrix's eyes his hand grasping Sirius' shaking badly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You better be careful you little mudblood. You're the worst of the bunch and if you don't watch yourself you may have some unwanted visitors at your door~."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella!" Sirius nearly cried out in relief as the door opened and Narcissa stood there, eyes wide. Sirius had never been more happy to see her in his life!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella put your wand down! You shouldn't even be on this train. Put the wand down or I'll get Andromeda right now." Sirius couldn't remember just how often he had heard that said to his crazy cousin since Drommie was one of the few people who could sometimes get Bella to listen to her. Only this time Bellatrix turned away from Remus and towards Narcissa slapping her cheek hard./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Don't mention that traitor's name to me ever again! She abandoned her family Narcissa don't ever speak that filths name again." Narcissa looked stunned then anger filled her eyes. Suddenly Sirius was worried a duel would break out right there on the train./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Fine but you can't go around threatening students and you know it. Do you want to end up in Azkaban?" Bellatrix made a hissing sound and looked back into their compartment with a sneer her eyes on Remus as Narcissa, quite bravely he had to admit, began dragging her away./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I'll make you pay for ruining my cousin you filthy mudblood. Just you wait I'll make you pay." She swore then was out of sight. James collapsed to the ground meaning Sirius did as well still leaning awkwardly against his two friends which caused Remus to follow. Entangled in a mess on the ground the trolly witch chose then to show up and open the door of their apartment telling them to stop dawdling and leave./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""All the students are gone and I'm sure your parents won't be happy you kept them waiting so long." She chided them, why couldn't she have just come earlier? But then Bellatrix really would have been in trouble which meant he would have been as well. At the witch's warning Remus jumped up quickly and only Sirius grabbing his wrist prevented him from running out./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Wait."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius we don't have time," Remus said urgently and Sirius wanted to scream in frustration. Muttering she'd get the conductor if they didn't hurry the trolly witch left. Remus looked down at him and James with pleading eyes./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I can't be seen leaving with you my dad won't like it."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Forget about your dad!" He snapped frustrated. "She's serious Remus she'll do something bad and I'm certain she's a death eater. You have to be careful ...she could ...she might ..." He stammered not sure what his cousin would do and not wanting to find out. He was sure Remus would look scared but instead, he smiled, though he looked more than a little stressed./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""She won't find my house. My dad and I move around so much and no one knows where we're at except...well I guess Dumbledore. I have to go though. I'll talk to you tonight with the mirror." Then he pulled himself away and was gone. Sirius felt James shift underneath him and he stood up feeling ill./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What did he mean no one knows where they are? I mean I know Remus lives with the Muggles but ...why would they move around so much?" Sirius just shook his head at James' question. He wondered about that too and also why Remus had only mentioned his dad. He felt dizzy but he too couldn't afford to take any longer. He muttered he had to go to James and left him to help Peter stand and walk off the train. He didn't run like Remus did sure his mother would be pissed at him for that and when he stepped off finding the station emptying and able to locate his mother quickly, Remus was nowhere in sight./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius Black you are a disgrace." She hissed at him grabbing his arm tightly and dragging him alone snapping her fingers for his luggage to follow./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry mom. I fell asleep I didn't realize."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Not another word out of you. At least you are wearing proper colors." She added in a cold tone and he touched the Slytherin robes he hadn't worn a single day at Hogwarts. He felt wrong wearing them and none of his friends had pointed them out but it had, in fact, seemed to calm down his mother and that was most important right now./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"At least Bellatrix and Narcissa had already left with his aunt. He was sure he'd be seeing them sooner than he'd want but he was still the future heir of the Blacks and as much as Bellatrix wanted to she could only get away with doing so much to him. But as he left the station with his mother, his luggage floating neatly onto a cart she made him push, he couldn't help but worry about Remus and what his cousin would do to him if she got the chance./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Only two months." He whispered under his breath clinging to the words to stop from screaming or crying or both./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What was that?" His mother asked angrily./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Nothing." He replied getting a hard whack on his head since she assumed he had talked back. He rubbed his head as they began to leave the station his mother snapping he better keep up, only two months./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Author's Note: That's it for year one! I want to thank all my amazing readers for sticking with me on this journey, and don't you worry there is much more to come. Thank you also to all those who left reviews and who liked and followed me and my story. Every review brought me such joy and kept me motivated to keep writing the story, as well as, those who liked and followed the story. An extra special thanks to those who spread the news of my story around and shared it with other readers./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Thank you again for reading my story and I hope you'll join me and the Mauraders in Year Two! You can find it either under my name and the stories I've written or by searching The Poisoned Truth (which is part 1 of the Marauders' second year and is almost complete). See you there :D/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Sirius stood up on his tiptoes as the students thinned out. He told James they should have waited until most students had left to walk out together but James had insisted they needed to get a good compartment on the train. Feeling rather robbed that he wasn't able to walk across the Hogwarts ground with his three best friends in the whole world he tried to find them. He didn't care if it was sappy or girly he wanted a proper send-off with his mates before they got on the train and he was going to tie down James if that's what it took./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Peter over here Peter." He hollered, however, the shorter boy was soon swallowed by the crowd. He was going to punch James when he saw him!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, at least I found one of you." He grabbed James's hand tightly as the boy motioned for him to keep walking to the train./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius let go we aren't going to get good seats."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I don't care! I want to say goodbye together beforehand."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Oh come off it mate we'll get to say goodbye when we reach the station." James pointed out clearly thinking Sirius was being ridiculous, which he probably was, but luckily he didn't fight him,/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""There's Remus and Peter." Sirius pointed feeling relief. He realized he didn't really care about saying goodbye to the castle with his friends, which was ridiculously airy-fairy. Rather he wanted to stop it, wanted to prevent it as long as possible./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Over here you two. Sirius is being a bit bonkers!" James called happily and the four of them stood together as the students thinned more. They looked at him expectantly but words wouldn't come. He glanced back at the castle his heart aching./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius," Remus said gently. He refused to meet his eyes because he was sure Remus understood and if he saw that understanding he'd probably start crying and then he really would be a mushy swat./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I just wanted to...to to leave our mark somehow." He mumbled feeling foolish./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""James wait where are you going?" Peter asked alarmed and Sirius snapped his head forward his sadness turning to anger as James walked away./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius..." Remus began hesitantly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Don't! It's fine it's just stupid is all." He muttered unsure whether he felt more shame or anger. Then he saw James coming back and dragging a confused Dorcas with him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What are you doing James?" Peter asked for once sounding no more confused than him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well if Sirius is going to be a nutter then we might as well do it right. Dorcas has a camera, will that satisfy you princess." He teased lightly and Sirius flung himself at James pulling him into a headlock and ruffling his hair./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Yeah that's nice and all boys but I want to get on the train to so let's hurry it up." Dorcas sighed sounding resigned./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Thank you, Dorcas," Remus said politely and Sirius caught her pulling out a small camera before James jostled him around trying to pull him into a headlock. Picture momentarily forgotten Sirius wrestled with James both of them trying to headlock the other and both their hair completely messed up by the time Dorcas shouted she'd take a picture of them like this if they didn't stop./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""How should we do this?" Peter asked just as the trains loud whistle indicated ten minutes before departure./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Just come here. Let's all huddle together. Sirius, you look ridiculous." James laughed pointing at his hair. Sirius attempted to smooth it but Dorcas cleared her throat warningly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Yours is no better." He muttered to James as they huddled together and smiled at the camera./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""There." Dorcas shook out the picture and handed it to them./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Why isn't it moving?" Peter asked shaking it a little as if it was broken. Dorcas laughed but walked away as if he'd been making a joke. Sirius didn't understand what was so funny before Remus pointed out it was a muggle camera and the pictures it took didn't move./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""That's no fun!" Sirius cried taking the picture from Peter. He had to admit it was a nice picture though, even if he and James looked a bit ridiculous with their hair sticking up all over the place./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, then next time we need to get one infused with a developing potion. I'm sure my dad has one I can borrow." James pointed out grinning. Sirius punched his arm grinning./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Next time? I thought I was just being a nutter?" He asked poking James' cheek who half-heartedly swatted his hand away laughing./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Oh make no mistake you are a nutter!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Seconded!" Remus said a little too quickly. He shot an irritated look at his friend who smirked, but he avoided Remus' eyes still not sure he wouldn't burst out into tears./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Third ...er thirded?" Peter agreed and James laughed louder./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""So it's unanimous. You're most definitely are a nutter." James threw his arm over Sirius' shoulder so as they started walking they had to be careful not to fall./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""But you're our nutter and if taking a picture at the end of every year stops you from losing your marbles then that's fine." Sirius laughed and pretended to try to trip James./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You just don't want to admit you like the idea!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well, I like it. My mum will probably put it up on the fridge." Peter said excitedly. Remus mumbled something but Sirius couldn't hear what it was over the sound of the Hogwarts express giving one last warning whistle. James untangled himself from Sirius and they took off running shouting hurried goodbyes to Hagrid who beamed at them and told them to have good summers. Then they were on the train and the search for an open apartment seemed futile until Peter finally found one leading to much cheering and relief from the four of them. To keep his mind off of going home Sirius sent to work figuring out how to make three copies of the picture with his wand, even if it was boringly still./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"However, the train was going too fast. Far too fast. He squirmed in his seat as someone announced they'd be reaching KingsCross Station soon. He felt a little ill and tried to focus on how he'd see Regulus, at least he'd see Regulus. James was doing a spectacular job of keeping him and Remus distracted from their thoughts, he seemed to realize how necessary it was./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"But no matter how many funny stories James told or ridiculous tales he concocted the inevitable still happened and the train stopped right on time. They hesitated to move, no one daring to be the first. Remus was looking pale but the determined look was in his eyes and Sirius convinced himself that would mean he'd be just fine./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Well as much as I like you lot I don't want to sit here staring at your ugly mugs all day." Sirius teased and it broke the tension in the air. James replied quickly that Sirius' mug was the ugliest by far and Remus got up pulling down his luggage from the top of the compartment and helping Peter with his as well. Before Sirius could do the same James was hugging him tightly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Now whose bonkers." He mumbled into James' shoulder but hugged him back tightly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Write loads and don't piss off your mum. Got it?"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Got it."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""And come to visit you have to visit."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I will mate I will." James let him go looking a bit embarrassed but then pulled Peter into a hug and then Remus though Sirius realized he was hugging him much more gently than he had anyone else./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Be careful Remus." He heard him whisper to Remus whose face had gone rather pink as the still far too mysterious boy hesitated but hugged James back./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I will." He assured him quietly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""And if anything happens. If you get hurt you can come to my place. No questions asked I promise. Just...just actually come if you get hurt ok?" Sirius blinked a few times and scrubbed his eyes angrily. Stupid James just had to start crying now! Remus nodded looking close to tears himself. Bloody hell if he started crying he wasn't sure he'd stop! He wanted to hug Remus too but he didn't think he'd let go of him if he did. So instead he said in a purposely gruff tone for them all to stop being wusses and to have great summers. He gave them a wave turning around determined not to let them see the fear in his eyes. A quick painless goodbye is what it would have to be because he knew he just couldn't handle anything more but as he opened the door of their compartment to leave he ran into someone who ruined what would have been a painless, mostly painless goodbye on his part./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"He could feel the tension in the air as his friends shifted before he even realized who he ran into./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""About time icky Sirius comes home." He felt himself go numb and had to remind himself frantically that in a train full of students and prefects his cousin Bellatrix couldn't hurt him, she couldn't. But that didn't stop her from shoving him back into the compartment the tip of her wand digging painfully into his side./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Let's not do anything stupid now boys or I'll make sure my hex is a nasty one!"/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""How did you even get on the train?" James asked angrily and Sirius wouldn't be surprised if all his friends had their wands pointed at Bellatrix, well maybe not Peter because he was making fearful noises and Peter would probably faint if she didn't leave the now cramped compartment soon./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I walked right on. I was a student recently just said I had some friends to see." She laughed then, one of her crazy sort of scary laughs. Sirius felt cold surely they didn't just let her on! True she was a student until she graduated two weeks prior to today, all the seventh years left earlier than the other students and Sirius had been relieved of that so that she wouldn't be on the train with them./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Leave him alone," Remus said in a low voice that almost sounded like a growl. Sirius felt himself shudder and tried to move but his cousin just latched onto his shoulder hard. He glanced up and her and felt cold at the hate in her gaze no longer directed at him./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't dare do anything to me you filthy mudblood." Sirius tried to catch someone's eyes outside of their compartment. Students were passing in the halls of the train but they were all talking to themselves and no one noticed them. Someone had to notice them, they had too! Even with a bunch of students, Sirius didn't know what Bellatrix would do when she sounded like that!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't get away with hurting him." James pointed out but he sounded nervous, very nervous./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Of course I would." She giggled again and she really sounded insane!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I have friends in high places~" She sang somehow making even that sound threatening. Sirius' heart was racing if she hurt any of his friends...if she hurt him. He was trying to think clearly but all he could think of was how no matter what happened if Bellatrix did something stupid and got in trouble it would be his fault and he'd end up with the dementor./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Then you'll be hexed back. James knows some pretty nasty ones isn't that right James." Remus sounded nervous too but there was an edge to his voice as he addressed Bellatrix with as much calm as he could muster./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella..." He made the sound come out of his mouth Remus' bravery encouraging his own./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You can punish me later without risking getting hexed or in trouble." He forced himself to say and ignored Peter's horrified gasp and James' sound of disgust and anger./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Awww icky little Sirius wants to protect his filthy little friends." Then she shoved him back into James and Remus who caught him. He was sure she'd leave but when he looked up at her she had her wand pointed at Remus instead. No one dared to breathe. Remus had lowered his wand with James to catch Sirius, a stupid mistake, and like he predicted Peter had never drawn his wand. Peter instead had collapsed back into his seat and looked like he might throw up. Remus met Bellatrix's eyes his hand grasping Sirius' shaking badly./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""You better be careful you little mudblood. You're the worst of the bunch and if you don't watch yourself you may have some unwanted visitors at your door~."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella!" Sirius nearly cried out in relief as the door opened and Narcissa stood there, eyes wide. Sirius had never been more happy to see her in his life!/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Bella put your wand down! You shouldn't even be on this train. Put the wand down or I'll get Andromeda right now." Sirius couldn't remember just how often he had heard that said to his crazy cousin since Drommie was one of the few people who could sometimes get Bella to listen to her. Only this time Bellatrix turned away from Remus and towards Narcissa slapping her cheek hard./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Don't mention that traitor's name to me ever again! She abandoned her family Narcissa don't ever speak that filths name again." Narcissa looked stunned then anger filled her eyes. Suddenly Sirius was worried a duel would break out right there on the train./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Fine but you can't go around threatening students and you know it. Do you want to end up in Azkaban?" Bellatrix made a hissing sound and looked back into their compartment with a sneer her eyes on Remus as Narcissa, quite bravely he had to admit, began dragging her away./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I'll make you pay for ruining my cousin you filthy mudblood. Just you wait I'll make you pay." She swore then was out of sight. James collapsed to the ground meaning Sirius did as well still leaning awkwardly against his two friends which caused Remus to follow. Entangled in a mess on the ground the trolly witch chose then to show up and open the door of their apartment telling them to stop dawdling and leave./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""All the students are gone and I'm sure your parents won't be happy you kept them waiting so long." She chided them, why couldn't she have just come earlier? But then Bellatrix really would have been in trouble which meant he would have been as well. At the witch's warning Remus jumped up quickly and only Sirius grabbing his wrist prevented him from running out./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Wait."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius we don't have time," Remus said urgently and Sirius wanted to scream in frustration. Muttering she'd get the conductor if they didn't hurry the trolly witch left. Remus looked down at him and James with pleading eyes./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I can't be seen leaving with you my dad won't like it."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Forget about your dad!" He snapped frustrated. "She's serious Remus she'll do something bad and I'm certain she's a death eater. You have to be careful ...she could ...she might ..." He stammered not sure what his cousin would do and not wanting to find out. He was sure Remus would look scared but instead, he smiled, though he looked more than a little stressed./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""She won't find my house. My dad and I move around so much and no one knows where we're at except...well I guess Dumbledore. I have to go though. I'll talk to you tonight with the mirror." Then he pulled himself away and was gone. Sirius felt James shift underneath him and he stood up feeling ill./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What did he mean no one knows where they are? I mean I know Remus lives with the Muggles but ...why would they move around so much?" Sirius just shook his head at James' question. He wondered about that too and also why Remus had only mentioned his dad. He felt dizzy but he too couldn't afford to take any longer. He muttered he had to go to James and left him to help Peter stand and walk off the train. He didn't run like Remus did sure his mother would be pissed at him for that and when he stepped off finding the station emptying and able to locate his mother quickly, Remus was nowhere in sight./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Sirius Black you are a disgrace." She hissed at him grabbing his arm tightly and dragging him alone snapping her fingers for his luggage to follow./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry mom. I fell asleep I didn't realize."/p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Not another word out of you. At least you are wearing proper colors." She added in a cold tone and he touched the Slytherin robes he hadn't worn a single day at Hogwarts. He felt wrong wearing them and none of his friends had pointed them out but it had, in fact, seemed to calm down his mother and that was most important right now./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"At least Bellatrix and Narcissa had already left with his aunt. He was sure he'd be seeing them sooner than he'd want but he was still the future heir of the Blacks and as much as Bellatrix wanted to she could only get away with doing so much to him. But as he left the station with his mother, his luggage floating neatly onto a cart she made him push, he couldn't help but worry about Remus and what his cousin would do to him if she got the chance./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Only two months." He whispered under his breath clinging to the words to stop from screaming or crying or both./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""What was that?" His mother asked angrily./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;""Nothing." He replied getting a hard whack on his head since she assumed he had talked back. He rubbed his head as they began to leave the station his mother snapping he better keep up, only two months./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Author's Note: That's it for year one! I want to thank all my amazing readers for sticking with me on this journey, and don't you worry there is much more to come. Thank you also to all those who left reviews and who liked and followed me and my story. Every review brought me such joy and kept me motivated to keep writing the story, as well as, those who liked and followed the story. An extra special thanks to those who spread the news of my story around and shared it with other readers./p
p style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"Thank you again for reading my story and I hope you'll join me and the Mauraders in Year Two! You can find it either under my name and the stories I've written or by searching The Poisoned Truth (which is part 1 of the Marauders' second year and is almost complete). See you there :D/p