AN: So, hey all, I'm back. Sorry about that wait…really, truly sorry. I was caught up in RL and other stories and everything, and I send you my deepest apologies.

*grins sheepishly* Did that work? Am I pardoned?

*ducks as readers throw rotten vegetables*

Hey hey hey, I'm sorry, folks! Now before you kill me, let's move on… I'm not really in the mood for a homocide. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Nor am I making any profit from this. *sigh*

Warnings: Um, let's see… child abuse?

The train gave an odd impression of merriment, what with bright laughs and boughs of holly decorating the aisle.

James' mood was matched to the train's, and as was Peter's, but the bespectacled boy couldn't help but notice both Remus and Sirius seemed to be distant and unhappy.

Now, James wasn't the perceptive type, but he knew his friends well. And this prompted him to ask, "Festive much, you two?"

Remus shook his head. "I'm fine, just thinking."

"About what?" Peter asked.

Moony waved a hand as though it were all just a passing matter. "The full moons and everything."

Oh. Without his friends to act as Animagi for him, his transformations would be more painful than usual. But James had no idea how to offer comfort, so he turned to Sirius instead. "And you, mate?"

The black-haired teenager turned from the window, grey eyes seemingly a shade darker. "Come on, Prongs, what do you think?"

James shrugged, helpless once again. Merlin, these guys are so droopy I can't even crack a joke.

It was, unfortunately, a pretty uneventful ride home. James' spirits had been dampened slightly, and he couldn't wait to get home and be greeted by the smell of cookies and a coming Christmas. At the same time, he felt guilty as soon as that thought crossed his mind; Sirius had no welcoming home to return to. He would be greeted by a cold family and harsh words. He remembered the howlers Sirius' mother had sent in their first and second year; they were no more, but James was sure they were not erased from his friend's mother's vocabulary.

"Hey, Pads, why don't you come over for at least a week or something? I'm sure my parents would be glad to have you," James said, eyes on the despondent teenager.

"It's Christmas, Prongs," Sirius sighed. "I have to deal with the whole bloody family and they won't let me get away when all the relatives are there."

"Oh. Sorry, mate."

A shrug. James honestly couldn't interpret his friend's gestures, so he resorted to pulling out a pack of exploding snap. "Who wants to play?"

The rest of the train ride was spent with not much talking, but much more exploding. James was as content as he could be while surrounded by his friends' gloom.

So he switched back to his favorite topic: Lily. Didn't his friends see her wonderful auburn hair that glimmered like freshly fallen leaves, layered and silky? Her eyes, so smart and sweet, precious jewels, the windows to her soul? And her spirit- that beautiful fire that glowed within Lily? Didn't they see her smile, her laugh, her habits? How she took her toast in the mornings, how she pulled her hair behind her ear when she leaned over a book, how her hand scrawled delicately over parchment, leaving ink in its wake? Didn't his friends see how perfect both her flaws and strengths were? How utterly perfect every part of Lily was?

"Prongs, you've been talking about Evans for one hour straight," Peter cut in.

"But do you think when she looked at me at breakfast, do you think that means she's warming up to me? She's hasn't yelled at me in like three days, Wormy!"

"How about you just give it a rest?" his friend suggested.

"What? No! I love her, Wormtail! I can't give it a rest! I love her!"

"So passionate, Prongs," Sirius muttered. "Wonderful."

Remus smirked. "Just don't write all of your letters about her."

James shrugged, grinning as he pushed his glasses up his nose from where they were slipping off. Then he noticed Sirius was staring glumly out of the window. "What is it, Padfoot?"

"We're here."

At his words, the train slowed to a stop with a sharp hoot. Even that sounds happy, James thought exasperatedly. "Come on, let's go," he said, then caught sight of Sirius and frowned. "Er, mate, are you stripping?"

"No," Sirius huffed irritably, yanking off his tie so ferociously it must have burnt his neck.

Panting, the teenager hauled down his trunk and opened it, stuffing the robes he had shed inside and pulling out a pair of pure black ones.

Remus was staring at Sirius with a mix of warped fascination and confusion on his face as he watched him tie his robes hurriedly and attempt to close his trunk. "Need help, Pads?"

"No."

Rolling his eyes at Sirius' stubbornness, James stepped forward and slammed his friend's trunk shut, closing it with a click.

"Thanks," Sirius muttered, then excited the compartment, leaving the other Marauders staring after him.

"Is that temper or just rush?" Remus asked, sounding bewildered, as the door in front of them rattled on its hinges.

"Dunno," James replied, then tugged down the other trunks. "Come on."

When they clambered out of the train, the three boys found Sirius standing rigidly next to his trunk, scanning the crowd. Upon seeing his parents, Peter bade goodbye and hurried toward them. Remus went next, and when Sirius and James lost sight of him, the bespectacled boy noticed his friend biting his lip anxiously.

The Potters and Blacks arrived at the same time, both casting disdainful looks toward each other. James gave a slight nod to his best mate, not wanting him to get in trouble for being friends with a "blood traitor," and headed over to his parents, where they showered him with hugs and kisses and questions.

He chanced a glance at Sirius, who he saw was bowing deeply to his father.

"Stand up," Orion snapped, and grabbed Sirius' arm roughly. James winced.

"Father--" the teenager choked out, but Orion jerked him around, slamming Sirius into the brick wall.

"Not another word, you worthless traitor," he hissed, then pulled Sirius with him as he stalked out of the station.

James cast a wide-eyed look at Sirius, opening his mouth to speak, but his friend glanced over his shoulder and shot James a meaningful glance, raising a finger to his lips. Just before he was pulled outside, Sirius gave him a small, crooked smile.

Bloody hell, James thought. How can that bloke smile?

oOo

Pain bit into every thought. Sirius moaned into the floor, the smell of wood filling his mouth. He rolled over onto his back, then hissed at the unexpected agony that ripped through him.

Dammit. I have to get up.

He rolled onto his side and threw up.

Choking on his own vomit, Sirius coughed it out. His throat burned and his stomach clenched. He had thrown up the little he had eaten over the past few days.

"Sirius," a voice muttered.

Sirius squeezed his eyes shut. "Reg, go away."

"You have to get off of the floor."

He looked up through his curtain of black hair to see his brother staring back at him, arms crossed but expression slightly worried. "Go. Please." I don't want you to see me like this.

"You're lying in the middle of the living room, Sirius. They're going to find you here." Regulus vanished the vomit with a wave of his wand.

"They don't give a fuck," Sirius growled.

"And that's exactly why they punish you."

Huffing an irritated breath, the sixteen-year-old pushed himself to his feet. Swaying slightly, he grabbed onto the nearby table for support before pulling the abandoned glass of firewhiskey on it to him and drinking it in one gulp. Grinning wildly at his brother's face, Sirius stumbled up the stairs and to his room, leaving Regulus staring after him.

Humming a tune that was vaguely punk rock, he collapsed onto his bed face-down, avoiding brushing the fresh wounds against it. Father really knows how to use that belt. I suppose it's because he's been using it for five years.

"Sirius! Sirius Black!"

He cast a glance toward the two-way mirror next to him and ignored James' voice.

"Come here, you bloody bastard! You prick, you're making me worried!"

"James, James, calm down," Sirius hissed.

"Let me see you."

"You sure you want me to do that?" he drawled, running an elegant finger over the gash on his face. When he pulled it away, it was smeared with scarlet.

"Why? Padfoot, your dad--"

"Shut up, James! Just SHUT UP!" Sirius roared. He didn't know where his sudden rage had come from, only that he was seething, teeth gritting and hands curled into his blankets.

"Sirius, just please tell me what's happening," his friend said softly.

Burrowing his face in his pillow, he let out a tiny whimper before picking his head up and taking control of his voice. "James, I'm fine, okay? I just got in this huge yelling fight with my parents and…and I just don't want to talk. I swear I'm fine, just a bit riled up. Now can you leave me alone?"

"Did he hit you?"

"Merlin, James! Can you just please leave?"

"Sirius, I need to know if he hit you!"

No, you don't. I don't need to be your problem. "He didn't, James. He's never laid a hand on me, okay? I promise."

"But the station--"

Fuck fuck fuck. "That was just a one-time thing. They only yell, nothing more."

"Okay," James said dubiously. "Bye, mate."

"Bye."

AN: …Aaaand there we go! Hope u enjoyed! Also, PLEASE REVIEW. I know you aren't inclined to, especially when I haven't updated, but it really helps keep my motivation up. And then you'll get more chappies! Thnx!

Also, don't worry. THE WOLFSTAR WILL COME, MY FRIENDS!