Ch 11 Old Curses

Sirius had not spoken with Remus or Peter for the rest of the day. He was so mad and upset about James that he didn't feel he had to talk with anyone. He couldn't believe the way his friends were acting about it. They hadn't seen what happened; they were too busy watching the game to care about their friend so why should they get to know how he's doing?

He wasn't aware of where he was going and turned a corner and walked right into someone.

"Watch where you're going," a voice sneered. Sirius looked up and standing there was Hoggle.

"You! You're the one who caused my friend to go to the hospital wing!" Sirius drew his wand so fast Hoggle didn't even see it.

"What is a little second year going to do to me?"

"You better not tempt me more then I already am!" Sirius sneered.

"Is little Black going to try to take me on?"

"You can bet your ass I am!" Sirius said.

"Look Black, I know where you come from; I know you know curses, but do you honestly think you can stand a chance against me?"

"You really want to find out?"

"Sirius," a voice said from behind. Sirius turned around to find Narcissa Black standing there with Lusius. To the right of him Severus Snape and to his left was his own brother, Regulus.

"What the hell is this? Too cowardly to take me on yourself?"

They laughed at this. "Now, now Black, we just want to bring you to our side." Lusius said.

"Why would I join you?"

"You are a Black, Sirius," Narcissa said. "You were meant to be in Slytherin, not in bloody Gryffindor." She spat. "You have tainted the family name!"

"Is that all you bloody care about? Family and blood status?"

"You are forgetting the dark lord," Lusius said.

"Oh yes, how could I forget Voldemort?" The five Slytherins hissed when he said the name. "What's the matter can't bear to hear his name spoken?"

Nacrissa looked at Regulus, "How long has he been saying it?"

"Since Potter was captured last year," he replied.

"How'd you know about that?" Sirius roared. He heard someone laugh quietly behind him.

"Malfoy," he hissed.

"That's right, me. No secrets here, all the Slytherins know my family is loyal to the dark lord. I told Nacrissa and she told your family." Regulus was laughing at this.

"What the hell are you laughing at Reggy?" Regulus hated to be called this and he stopped laughing.

"Sirius, I don't think you are in any position to be cracking jokes to me. Unless you want to be knocked out like your little friend."

Sirius decided to turn to Snape, he couldn't resist taunting him. "Snivellus, where's Evans? Did she find some new greasy haired freak to hang out with?" You could see the anger in his face. He also whipped out his wand and pointed it at Sirius.

"You better watch it Black," he hissed.

Suddenly another Slytherin ran down the corridor.

"Professors are coming," he hissed.

"Well, then I'll make this fast." Hoggle said and Sirius saw him mouth something and a flash of light before he blacked out.

James heard voices from his left. He recognized one as the headmaster's and the others to belong to his best friends. He couldn't figure out what they were saying, but he realized a voice was missing… Sirius's. That's when his mind mentally shook and James started to move. The voices stopped as James's eyes fluttered and finally opened.

"James!" came the cries from Remus and Peter, both of whom were speaking with the headmaster. They were all standing beside a bed. James smiled.

"Hey guys," he sat up and his smile left his face as he looked upon Sirius Blacks body, unconscious, on the bed next to his.

"Sirius," he whispered. Remus and Peter both looked a little sad. "What happened?" he asked.

"Before we discuss that Mr. Potter, we need to find out what happened to you."

"All I remember is playing in the Quidditch game and then seeing someone, I don't remember who it was, but they had their wand pointed at me. I got dizzy and confused and started flying around and then something hit me and I blacked out."

"Well, we know a bludger was hit at you by Hoggle. Sirius saw him hit it." Remus replied. "But we don't know who cursed you."

"I wish I remembered who it was," James sighed.

"In time you'll remember," Remus said.

"I supposed," James said sadly. "So what happened with Sirius?"

"Professor McGonagall found him unconscious on the fifth floor corridor. No one knows what happened to him. He's been out for four or five days now," Remus said.

"How could this happen?" James asked pleadingly, "why is he out for so long?"

"An old curse, similar to the one used on you, was used on Mr. Black. It is called Amnesie Standbymodus [A/N: Amnesie Standbymodus is German for Amnesia sleep] and it caused him unconsciousness and amnesia." Dumbledore replied.

"Will he be alright?" James asked concerned.

"Yes Mr. Potter, he'll wake up soon enough."

"James didn't look reassured but decided to accept what was given.

"You should get some more rest. Madam Pomfry is dealing with a first year at the moment but she'll be glad to know you've awoken. Drink this, it'll help." James was given a dreamless sleep draught and fell asleep instantly.

The sun was shining in his eyes the next time he opened them and James looked over instantly to Sirius's bed to find him still unconscious.

"Good to see your eyes Potter," James looked around and saw Madam Pomfry, "I was starting to worry about you."

"How's Sirius?"

"He should be out of his sleep soon enough," James nodded.

"I want you to eat this," she said putting a tray of food down on his bed. James started to eat. He hadn't actually eaten in so long. When he finished Madam Pomfry had him drink a potion for strength since his body had been weakened over the past few days.

"You'll need to stay here another few days just to make sure you are fully cured," James nodded but was more focused on Sirius. He had a feeling whatever happened to him was his fault. James sighed and looked over at his night stand to see a pile of books.

"Your friends took the liberty to bring you the homework you missed," Pomfry said noticing where James was looking and the questioning look on his face. James groaned and picked up the book on top. It was his defence homework. The next book was charms and so on, down to Herbology. He picked up some parchment and a quill and figured he might as well do some of it; he had nothing else to do. He spent three hours on homework and decided to take a break to eat something. Madam Pomfry had another tray of food for him and he started to eat as Remus and Peter walked in.

"James mate, how you doing today?" Remus asked.

"A lot better actually," James said with a small smile.

"Have you figured out who hexed you yet?" Peter asked hesitantly.

"No," James sighed, "every time I think of it, the persons face is just a blur."

"The only person I can think of is someone who has a grudge against you."

"The only person who hates me is Evans," James stated.

"Not really, Lily wouldn't do something like that. Besides, she may think you're arrogant but I don't think she hates you." Remus said.

This made James feel slightly better. "But, who would want to do it to me? And Sirius? I have a bad feeling that whoever did this to me also did it to Sirius,"

Remus nodded. "I was thinking the same thing mate," they were quiet for a moment and then Remus noticed the books around James's bed. "I see you've been busy."

"Not much to do in a hospital bed." James shrugged.

"Need any help?"

"Not unless you want to do it for me?" James asked with a little hope in his voice but Remus shook his head.

"How would you learn?"

James laughed. "I tried," Remus also laughed and so did Peter. Madam Pomfry came out of her office.

"Quiet in here or you'll have to leave," she said sternly. Peter and Remus tried to stop laughing but couldn't so they had to leave. "You should get some more rest Potter," and she handed him another sleepless draught and he fell asleep instantly yet again.

Sirius awoke one morning. He felt a soft bed below him and the room smelt as if he was in a hospital. He suddenly realized he must be in the hospital wing. He weakly opened his eyes and sat up. He looked around the room and saw James, still unconscious, in the bed next to him.

"Ah, Mr. Black you're awake," he heard a voice say. He looked over to the voice and saw Madam Pomfry, the matron, standing in front of his bed.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Professor McGonagall found you unconscious in the fifth floor corridor last week."

"I've been here a week?" he asked surprised.

"Oh yes, Mr. Potter awoke two days ago, I see he is still sleeping peacefully."

"James is ok?" he asked.

"He's quiet alright. A little bruised and confused about the whole thing but fine just the same."

Sirius was relieved. He was worried his friend wasn't going to wake up. He still couldn't remember how he got to the hospital wing though.

"Madam Pomfry, what happened to me?"

"The headmaster was hoping you could tell him. He will be down momentarily."

"I'm sorry but I don't remember anything."

"Side effects of the curse used on you. Another old and ancient one I haven't seen in years. It caused you to go into a dreamless sleep but also to forget the first half hour before the curse was cast."

"If you know I won't remember anything why did you tell me I could tell Dumbledore!" Sirius was starting to get annoyed. Madam Pomfry was about to respond when Dumbledore walked in.

"A little privacy Poppy?" he asked. Madam Pomfry nodded and retreated to her office.

"Mr. Black, could you tell me what happened the day you were attacked?"

"I don't remember," Sirius replied grumpily.

"Mr. Black, it is important to try to remember think," so Sirius sat there in thought.

"All I remember is being angry and then darkness."

"Why were you angry?"

"Because of James. He was hurt but nobody seemed to care!"

"Mr's Lupin and Pettigrew both cared very much about Mr. Potter." Dumbledore replied. "They came to visit him everyday, along with you."

"But they didn't care enough to watch him. We knew he was in danger, you knew, and you still let him play!"

"Sirius, we have discussed this already and James is fine, there are no long term affects on him. We are not here to discuss what happened to him, I need to know what happened to you."

"I don't remember,"

"You need to try," Dumbledore replied in that calm voice of his.

Sirius glared at him and racked his brains. Blurry vision of the event drove through his mind but he couldn't figure any of them out. "It's all just a blur," he replied

Dumbledore looked at him sadly. "Thank you for your time Mr. Black," and he got up and left. As soon as the doors closed James opened his eyes.

A/N: Yay, yet another chapter is up!!! I hope you liked it and please remember to leave a review!