Title: Regrets, Memories and Healing
Author: AntiLupinTonks
Beta: Vikertee
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY THEMES CONNECTED TO HARRY POTTER. I do own this plot.
A/N: Sorry for taking FOREVER to post. I've been busy. And I've been on punishment, therefore cut off from any computer use. TT.TT

CHAPTER THREE:

Sirius strolled leisurely through the now familiar scenery of Diagon Alley, having just enough money to buy himself a meal. He needed a job and he needed one ASAP. A sign in the window of a shop caught his attention, bold red letters standing out against the white of the sign. HELP NEEDED - CASHIER. Details on Request. The teen flicked his hair over his shoulder and walked in, making sure to seem completely confident. It seemed to be a bookstore, judging from the vast amount of books placed neatly on the shelves . Sirius didn't really enjoy reading, but he did need money, so this would have to do. He walked up to the counter, which no one was standing at, and leaned his upper body against it casually. He looked over his shoulder every few moments to check and see if anyone would come and help him--the place looked deserted.
"Hello?" Sirius called after waiting for a while, and a boy poked his head around the corner of a bookshelf. Sirius' heart leaped into his throat as Remus shook his sandy hair from his eyes and grinned, walking over.
"Hey, Sirius! Long time no see, eh?" The blond reached a hand out and Sirius shook, a wide grin spread against his slightly pale cheeks.
"Hey, Remus, whattcha doing here?"
"I work here." He chuckled at the expression on Sirius' face, a mix of shock, excitement and hesitation.
"Oh, really?" The dark-haired boy raised his hand and rubbed the back of his neck, his smile faltering a bit. "I-I was just looking for a job and the sign outside said you were looking for work but I guess they found someone already so..." He trailed off, a disappointed smile grazing his lips. Remus blinked and then laughed, shaking his head.
"You dolt. I've been working here for a few years now, the job is still open." Sirius rolled his eyes and shoved Remus' shoulder back lightly.
"Okay, Okay. How do I apply?" He smirked, taking great joy the way the brunet across from him rubbed his shoulder.
"Well, you don't really have to. You're the only person who applied," he smiled. "You got the job!"

Sirius and Remus strolled along a dark street, each holding a throw-away cup of fizzing drink. They walked in silence for a few minutes. Sirius had got the job and started that day, surprising not only Remus but also himself on how well he actually did for the job. He was a natural charmer and had a knack for being about to subtly get the customer to buy more. They passed a road that caused a faint memory in the back of the dark-haired man's head but quickly shook it away. Suddenly he felt Remus stiffen next to him, and he turned to look at his friend. The amber-eyed man was staring across the road at two figures drenched in shadows, a thin eyebrow raised, the straw to his drink inches from his lips.
"Hey, Pads?" He asked.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know him? He looks a lot like you." Sirius frowned and turned to look at who Remus was talking about, barely keeping his jaw from dropping to the floor. Regulus Black stood across the street, a flirtatious smile gracing his lips as he spoke to a man dressed entirely in purple. Sirius swallowed and shook his head.
"Nope. Never seen him in my life."

Sirius lay in bed that night trying to get thoughts of Regulus out of his mind. Not only was his younger brother still under the control of the bastard named Brian but he was also working the streets--a sure sign that Brian had taken a personal liking to him. Sirius turned over, burying his head into the not-so-soft pillow. He knew the dreams would come as they did every night but he couldn't bring himself to care.

(Begin Dream)
"You and your brother are going away for a little while..." A man in his mid-thirties stood over a boy around the age of seven. His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck and the odd greens and blacks of his tattoos stood out against his pale skin. The man lifted another article of clothing and dropped it neatly in the small suitcase set on the bed. "You are to listen to Brian and do what he says. Understood?"
"Yes, sir" Sirius answered meekly, his bare feet softly scuffled against the ground. "But, Dad...aren't you coming too?" The man sneered and placed yet another shirt in the suitcase.
"No, Siri. I'm not."
Sirius watched as his father zipped the suitcase up and heaved it to the door where his mother and brother waited. His brother had a frightened yet excited expression on his face that Sirius hadn't seen in a long time. The six year old took his brother's hand as they were led to the car. As the car drove past the run down apartment Sirius and Regulus had come to call home they both waved, sure they would see it again in a few weeks.
(End Dream)

Sirius jolted awake, breathing heavily. He swallowed and wiped a bit of sweat from his brow and hauled himself from bed on shaky legs. Stumbling, he made his way to the connected bathroom and splashed ice water on his face, successfully waking himself fully. Sirius heard a knock on the door and made his way over, pulling a tee shirt on as he went. He pulled the door open to be faced with a grinning teen with messy hair and hazel eyes--the boy from the main desk. He smiled thinnly and hoped his voice wasn't hoarse when he spoke.
"Yes? May I help you?" It wasn't hoarse. The boy nodded and held out a hand.
"James Potter."
"I know" Sirius spoke, his voice dry. The boy--James--frowned and the taller boy sighed. He pointed a thin finger at the boy's chest where a nametag lay clearly in view. James flushed and cleared his throat.
"Ah...Yes. Anyways. I have your mail." He held up a white envelope. Sirius cautiously took it, confused as to who would be sending him mail. The only person he could think of would be Remus, but he never told Remus which hotel he was staying at. James noticed the frown and shot Sirius a concerned smile.
"Everything okay, mate?"
Sirius nodded distractedly and glanced at the address on the envelope. 12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius' heart dropped into his stomach and he ignored James' questions and closed the door quietly in the boy's face.
With shaky hands Sirius tore the envelope open and scanned over the page. It was written in a hand filled with elegant swirls and dips, the opposite of his own. It had to be from his mother.

Dearest Sirius,
I know it has been a while and you don't know how much I regret not being able to watch you grow up. (Sirius snorted.) There is much that you don't know about the relationship between your father and I, Siri. I know that you are probably very upset with me, and you might not even finish reading this, so I will just tell you what I've written to inform you of. Brian has contacted your father and they are in the process of finding you right now. As you know, I have more connections in London than your father, therefore I have found you faster. You need to leave, Sirius. Go back to the House and get Regulus out. Your father knows that you care deeply about your younger brother. He will use this against you. I plead with you, Siri. Find your brother, get him out and leave. Never look back, my son. You are strong. Stronger than your father or I. I don't know when this letter will find you but you must know that you don't have much time. Take care, my son.
-Love, Walburga Black

Sirius laid the letter carefully down on his bed and took a few calming breaths. Swallowing hard, Sirius stood and started packing his stuff. This could be a trap but he didn't think so. His mother always seemed like she loved them, even when she didn't show it. Slipping on his trainers he walked out of the room, closing it firmly behind himself.

TBC

A/N: ugh. This is so short but I couldn't think of anything to put in it to make it longer. This fic won't be much longer actually. And I promised this to be slash so it shall be slash! But later on. Probably only near the end. Um...yeah so. I'm in the middle of writing this, writing a story for my friend (because she was bored and I started a story for her and I decided to finish it) AND a story for my writers club. Not to mention my friend Justin wants me to write him a scene. ugh. I have a lot to do. I NEED MORE FREE TIME! School is talking it all! arg. Plus...I'm in the middle of read four different fics. I need to slow down and take a cool down day where I can just...sleep. I think all the computer time is frying my brain! okay okay okay. Imma stop talking now. Thanks to all my reviewers and thanks to all my readers who don't review. (i don't hold it against you...since...well, i don't review many stories either. It is rather bothersome isn't it?) Until next time...
-Anti Lupin Tonks.