Miserable Day of Summer for Two

The fact that James fancied Lily Evans made his three friends chuckle but they didn't dare bring it up in front of him. But in the following months, James didn't speak about it and had simply stopped talking to Lily altogether. He did seem to find an extraordinary amount of ways to hex or embarrass Severus Snape for the remainder of term, but otherwise the issue went undiscussed and soon the others had forgotten about it. It was fairly easy, what with James and Remus' birthdays both in March, Easter holidays and then end of year exams. They spent the term fairly low-key for Marauders and without realizing it, the Summer Holidays were upon them.

"It's my birthday in August! We should all go to Diagon Alley together when we buy books," Peter suggested after they'd received their marks for their last exam.

"Sounds good to me, anything to get away from my awful House," Sirius said gloomily. He'd been particularly irritable in the last week and his friends knew now that it was because he was dreading going Home and facing his parents for the entire summer.

"You lot should come visit me as well. My parents loved having Sirius for Easter and I'd bet my Mum would adore having three extra mouths to feed. She's always saying the House Elves wish they could cook more."

"Love to, but who knows if I'll ever see the light of day again," Sirius said dramatically.

"I'll come! I want to see where you live James," Peter said excitedly.

"I can try…my mum quite likes me around as much as possible," Remus said dully. "But send me the dates and I'll see if I can."

"Great! I can't believe we'll be gone for two whole months," James said looking around the common room.

"And then we'll be Second Years!" Remus said importantly.

"And there'll be Firsties for us to mess with," Sirius grinned.

It was with dread that Sirius said goodbye to Remus and Peter at Kings Cross when their parents came to collect them. But it was almost desperation when James said he'd really better go find his parents too.

"Sorry mate, but look I'll write to you and it'll be over soon. Will your folks let you visit?" he asked, his face etched in concern.

Sirius pretended not to be bothered. "Calm down James, I don't need you babying me. Say hello to your Mum and Dad. I'll send you an owl soon."

James studied his friend's face, though Sirius couldn't look at him and sighed.

"See you soon," James said patting him on the back and heading to the entrance where he spied his parents waving.

"There you are boy. Where have you been? I've been waiting 10 minutes!" Walburga Black said sharply when Sirius finally found her.

"Sorry Mother," Sirius said meekly. He thought it best to simply deal with whatever lectures she would throw at him and think about something else, like the song he'd heard on the Wireless the night before or the one time he'd done a Transfiguration spell faster than James. He followed her from the station to an alleyway where he would travel by Side Long Apparation to their house and cringed when she grabbed his arm too tightly but let go as if she'd been burned when they arrived at their street. Wordlessly, she climbed the steps, her face screwed up in full concentration. Sirius with dismay, noted that it was the same face he made when he was holding back severe anger.

"Come," she demanded when she'd opened the door and saw he was still at the bottom of the steps. With every step Sirius felt the dread seep in to his insides. He could handle his mother. She always acted the same: screamed, yelled, and threw things. It was easy to tune out a banshee when you'd done it long enough. What he was worried about was his father, who he now saw standing impressively in the doorway leering at him. Orion Black was a stately looking man whose hair was still dark despite his age. He shared the same eyes as Sirius, unreadable and stormy though if he were ever to smile, they might go clear and pleasant in the same way. Orion looked at Sirius with his lips tightly pursed together as he walked in to the house, pulling his trunk behind him.

"Kreacher!" Walburga called, her eyes not leaving Sirius who in turn could not look away from his father's glare. Kreacher, the family House Elf came running in to the hall looking eagerly at them.

"Mistress? What can I do?"

"Take my sad excuse for a son's things upstairs. Then prepare one sandwich and leave it in his room. Thank you Kreacher," she said, her voice still livid.

After giving Sirius a scathing look, Kreacher hurried off to do her bidding and Orion waved them towards his large study on the first floor. He allowed his wife to go first before following her and taking a seat on his large armchair behind a desk. Sirius hovered in the doorway, feeling ill. He'd gotten in trouble a lot growing up, but this time he knew was going to be the worst.

"Sit," Orion said, nodding at the hard wooden chair in front of the desk as Walburga stood beside it glaring.

"How dare you?" Walburga finally burst. "First you break my heart and land yourself in the least noble House of all. Then, I receive letters upon letters about your detentions. Every week! Did you even pass your exams? And what about the filthy, common tricks Narcissa has told me you've been playing! And she tells me you are friends with half bloods and blood traitors? Is it true you are friends with a Potter?" she spat.

Sirius nodded curtly, trying to hum the song from last night in his head.

"Look at your mother. We taught you manners and I expect you to uphold them regardless of the riff raff you have been associating with," Orion said in a deep, threatening whisper.

Sirius nodded and looked at her. "Yes, Mother."

"Why! Why did I give birth to such a terrible son? You will ruin us! I knew I should've kept you away from Alphard and Andromeda with their ridiculous pro Muggle notions. Why couldn't you follow the example of Bellatrix or Narcissa? Answer me boy!" She wailed.

"I don't know, Mother," Sirius said, biting his tongue as his ears grew warm with anger.

"You didn't respect our wishes to have you sorted to Gryffindor! You go to a Potter's for the holiday. At least their blood is pure but you are talking to filthy mudbloods too? Friends with some?" His father said, the whisper becoming frantic and louder.

"No, Sir," Sirius said fairly truthfully.

"And cursing your Slytherin comrades with tacky hexes and jokes. You think this is something to be proud of?" Orion said, his voice raising as he stood. Walburga's chest was heaving as she watched in approval.

"No son of mine will be a blood traitor. Stay in Gryffindor if that fool Dumbledore won't let you move, but next year you will befriend Narcissa, Lucius Malfoy… you will set an example for your brother. You will under no circumstances lead him astray. At least I can still put my faith in one of my sons!"

"Is that all? I'm hungry," Sirius snapped, finally tired of obeying and acting like he cared. His fingers tightened around the arms of the chair, his knuckles becoming white.

"Robe up boy," Orion said angrily, walking to a corner of the room where he selected a long, black cane with a silver serpent handle. He fingered it as one might stroke a kitten and turned to Sirius who was glaring at him.

"No! I haven't done anything. What, are you trying to starve me? Is that your punishment?" he said, laughing despite the fear he felt whenever his father pulled out the cane.

"How dare you!" Walburga shrieked throwing a glass ornament on the floor near Sirius where it shattered. Sirius flinched but yelled at her.

"I like being in Gryffindor! We won the House Cup. I win tons of points in lessons. Everyone likes me at school!"

"Quiet," his father threatened in a hiss. "I said, Robes..Up."

Sirius froze, wondering if he should make a run for it when suddenly his mother grabbed him tightly and pulled his robe up so that his bare back was exposed. He struggled but her grip was firm, her fingernails digging painfully in to his arms.

"Let me go!"

WHACK! The cane came down hard on Sirius' back and he howled. Once, Twice, Three times until Sirius lost count of his yells and finally the cane was put away.

"Now get out of my sight and stay in your room unless you are called for," Orion said, wiping his hands off on his handkerchief.

Sirius stumbled from the room, blinking back tears, still thinking hard about the burning he felt from the marks on his back and ran up the three flights to his room.

He threw open the door and made to slam it but just before it hit the frame, he grabbed it and shut it quietly. He then walked in the most controlled manner to could possess to the beside table where he saw Kreacher's pitiful sandwich. Cheese and cold bread. Kreacher took pleasure in defending his Mistress' honor by serving Sirius terrible food when he was in trouble. Sighing, Sirius gulped the sandwich down in three bites before removing his shirt and walking to the mirror. He looked over his shoulder to see the long red marks on his back and gingerly touched one, wincing. And then, with a look of fierce determination, he sat at his desk and began to write.

"Remus,

Hope the trip home was fine. I just wanted to tell you that it's better to have a mum who's sick all the time instead of the banshee I have. See you next term.

Sirius"

"Peter,

You live near Diagon Alley. Send me all the Gryffindor stuff you can manage. I'll pay you back. See you next term.

Sirius"

"James,

If I don't get out of here soon I might explode. Night time wandering next week?

Sirius"

Just as he changed his mind and was crumpling up the letters and throwing them away, there was a soft knock on his door. Surprised, Sirius turned to see his brother Regulus in the doorway.

"Hi".

Sirius shrugged and turned to unpack his trunk. When he turned around again, he saw his brother's expression of horror at the marks on his bare back.

"What did you do this time?"

"What didn't I do?" Sirius replied, rolling his eyes and collapsing on the bed.

"I haven't seen you in a year."

Sirius shrugged. "So?"

"What was Hogwarts like?"

"Great. Though I doubt you'll enjoy it much."

"How come?"

"'Cos you'll be in Slytherin, won't you?"

"I want to be. It's the best house."

"Why do you believe everything they say Regulus? Think for yourself."

"Because they're right! And you're useless!" Regulus responded, turning and shutting the door angrily as he left.

Sirius rolled his eyes again. Regulus was a puppy in comparison to his parents. He sighed and closed his eyes. Two more months.

"How was your term, son?" Remus' father John asked as they drove away from King's Cross.

Remus smiled. "Better than I thought."

Georgia, his mother sniffed into a tissue, her eyes still teary as she looked out of the window of the shabby car.

"Mum, it's ok. I have friends," Remus said softly.

"I know Darling, I'm just so happy. I..I thought…"

"Shhh dear," John said cutting her off. "Although, we do have to talk about those detentions you got…are you sure your friends are a good influence."

"They're the best," Remus replied shortly.

John sighed. "We have another appointment with Healer Funnel tomorrow. Make sure you get enough sleep."

Remus fidgeted. "Dad…you know I don't sleep."

John swallowed. "Yes…well.."

"If only we'd just had a normal day together before…" Georgia burst into tears and her husband put a hand on her back soothingly.

Remus closed his eyes. He was back at Hogwarts, on one of those days where he was well rested and happy. Everyone he cared about was blissfully unaware and James was scolding him for missing out on one of their pranks.

When they arrived home, his father easily lifted Remus' trunk in to the house while his mother put a tight arm around him.

"I've missed you. Are you frightened? Has it gone better lately?"

"Yes," Remus lied wanting to protect her.

"I wish I could be there with you."

"I know Mum…but I'll be fine really. I hardly have any scars from the last time."

This was true, but only because Madam Pomfrey was a whiz at concealing some of his scars. It was still as painful as the first time and he bit and scratched himself every full moon. But being at school made things better. After the transformations, he could pretend that he was normal for a while. It was different at home where they carted him off to Healers every few weeks and his mother cried constantly and even worse, his father could barely look at him. He hoped fervently that his school friends would never find out. He could imagine it… Peter would be frightened, Sirius might think he was disgusting and dangerous and James would sadly tell him they couldn't hang out with him anymore.

He didn't want to lie, but Remus had long ago realized that lies seemed to protect the ones he loved more than telling the truth did.

An hour later, Remus came down from his bedroom and stopped outside the kitchen listening to his parents argue.

"We'd better eat quickly Georgia, I have to go to work tonight."

"On Remus' first day back?"

"He'll be….all night. What use is it, me staying?"

"We could be there with him…outside the door."

"I can't Georgia. You know I can't."

"You have to stop blaming yourself! Look at the boy. He's wonderful, kind, intelligent."

"He's a monster Georgia…and it's because of me."

"No…it was that Greyback! John, we couldn't have stopped him if we tried."

"Well we should of. What kind of parents are we?"

"The best kind," Remus said, stepping in to the kitchen. His parents looked at him guiltily.

"Remus…I thought you were having a kip," his mother said shakily as she set the plates out.

"No," Remus said quietly, taking a seat at the table.

"So how are your friends then Remus? Tell us about them," John said, changing the subject and digging in to their dinner but avoiding his son's eyes.

"Well, there's James Potter. He's a bit of a loon…brilliant though and fun. Sometimes shows off a bit but that's just because people really like him," Remus laughed and looked at his mother who was hanging on to every word. "And there's Peter Pettigrew who's just nice. He needs a bit of help with his school work but he's been a good friend, always around. And Sirius Black, who has the biggest mood swings ever but he's cool. Really funny when he's not being rude."

"Sounds like trouble. Black did you say? Aren't they usually Slytherins?" John asked.

Remus nodded. "Sirius is the first to be in Gryffindor."

"Well I think they sound lovely," Georgia said happily, spooning some more potatoes on to her son's plate.

"It's nice to have friends," Remus shrugged as he continued eating.

John glanced at the dying sun and then the clock. "You haven't told them about you though?"

Remus shook his head. "Never! I don't want to scare them away."

"Oh Remus! If they're true, they wouldn't be scared," His mother argued.

"Be careful anyway," John said nodding. "I have to go. Good luck tonight." He stood up, putting his plate in the sink and stopping beside Remus. He hesitated and finally put a hand on his son's shoulder and Remus looked up at him.

"I love you son. Don't forget it."

Remus nodded and watched as his father tiredly left the room.

"Darling, it's time. We better go down now," Georgia said quietly a few hours later while they were sitting in front of the fire in the sitting room.

Remus stood and nodded.

"Don't be afraid Remus, I'll be right outside the door."

"I wish you wouldn't Mum. I'll be fine," Remus said bravely, though he didn't feel brave.

"Do you want to take the Soothing Potion the Healer sent?"

Remus shrugged. "Will it help?"

Georgia shook her head sadly. "I wish I knew."

"No Mum, you don't," he said, a tear rolling down his face, though he wiped it away quickly.

"You've been lying, haven't you? It hasn't gotten easier…" she said shakily.

"No."

And leaving her in the living room to cry, he opened the door that led to the basement. The rickety old stairs were foreboding as he walked down and passed a single armchair and table, a candle placed on it. He stared at the metal door with the barred, small window and winced. He hated it. He hated being this way. And then his mother was behind him hugging him, leaving his shirt wet as she ushered him inside. She did not attempt to control her sobs as she lit the candle by the single, mangled bed.

"Shall I leave you food?" she asked shakily.

Remus shook his head, no. He couldn't speak, he really didn't want to cry. He wished she wouldn't. He wanted Sirius there to tell him he had no sense of humor or James to say he was an idiot for missing out on the treacle tart. He'd even rather listen to Peter talk about his toad. Anything but the pity and the fright he felt exuding from her.

"You'd better go Mum, it'll be starting soon."

"I love you Remus," she cried, hugging him again tightly. "I'm so sorry darling."

"Love you too," he whispered, again wishing someone was there to call him an idiot.

She attempted a smile at him as she left, shutting the door behind her, locking it with a heavy metal key and then sending an additional locking spell at it. He heard her light another candle and sit down on the over used, shabby armchair, still crying.

But soon, he couldn't hear her cries anymore. If she were still crying, he wouldn't have known. All he felt was pain. All he heard was his own shrieks. The ripping of his clothes, the mauling of his skin. The sight of his blood as it dripped on the torn sheets and scratched wooden, bed frame. The only thing he felt was his transformation and he howled before it was black and he stopped remembering.

A/N: I miss reviews :( But I hope everyone reading this is still enjoying it. I'll keep up the quick updates and hope for the best ;)