Authors Note: Usual disclaimers apply, not mine but loved all the same.
Thanks to the wonderful Fortheloveoftea. A fabulous queen of betaing...my stories would be nigh on intelligible if it wasn't for her helping me... as a tribute to her awesomeness I present you all with a quote... "Words. They're all we have to go on." also go to her page and read her stories! Paying particular attention to "Pride, Prejudice, Potions and Potter" It'll rock your proverbial socks off...
So here be chapter 5...sorry for the delay but the sunshine and work has been stealing me away from you all... I may have broken a promise that I had made about having the story up in a week... Please forgive me...(if I act a little strange...)
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 5
Elizabeth Potter knocked on the door of her husband's study. A low gravelly voice spoke up.
'Yes?'
'May I come in Harold? I need to speak with you.' Elizabeth asked tentatively.
'Of course love. Never ask!' He smiled.
Elizabeth stepped into the study and shut the door behind her. It was a wide study with floor to ceiling windows behind the desk that over looked the vast grounds of their manor. A fire blazed in the fireplace and the walls were full of books.
Walking over to the desk, Elizabeth began to speak.
'I think that James and Sirius should go to London for a short break before the wedding Harold.'
She sat in the seat before the desk.
Harold made a low noise of disapproval.
'Sirius is in need of a break and James should go before he marries.' Elizabeth explained.
'Sirius is a troubled youth.' Harold spoke solemnly. 'It might not be in our best interests to have him and James traipsing about London. I fear his influence on our son.'
Elizabeth laughed. 'Surely you should fear our son's influence on him? Harold you know our son, he is no angel. The break will be good for both of them. Sirius has gotten awfully melancholy since the engagement party. I think he has been thinking of his father, he was not exactly the most nurturing man as you well know and I fear that he has left a far bigger mark on his son than we may ever know.'
Harold sighed, placed his elbows on the table to support his chin and remained silent for a moment thinking it over. 'If they wish to go, I suppose they could. However only for the weekend, I need James here just in case his future in-laws wish to discuss the wedding.'
'Thank you Harold. I will go inform them immediately. Do you need anything from the kitchen? I believe Nanny has just baked her famous apple pie! Would you like a slice and perhaps some tea?'
'No thank you dear. I really need to focus on my work here and apple pie will be too much of a distraction.' He smiled lightly as his wife closed the door behind her.
Maybe it would be good for James and Sirius to go London.
'Sirius... Sirius! Come on open the door!' James was banging relentless on his door. He would not go away unless Sirius answered it. Sirius on the other hand was lying in bed trying to ignore his obnoxious friend.
'James...' he started lowly, building to a shout. '... I am trying to think!'
'Does it hurt much?' James laughed.
'Go away James.'
'Just open the door. I'll be with you for two minutes and then I swear if you want me to leave I will!'
Sirius sighed audibly and got up to answer the door. 'What?' he answered crassly.
'Pack your bags mate, we're going to London!' James bounced into the room and hopped on to Sirius' bed. Sirius stood watching him. 'What?'
'Mother and Father think it would be a good idea for me to get a break before the wedding.' James was grinning like a fool.
Sirius remained impassive.
'Don't you see what this means Sirius?' James asked.
Sirius raised an eyebrow but didn't answer.
'We get to run around London on our own for the weekend! That never happens! We can drink and play cards and gamble and no one will stop us! We'll be young, free and almost single!' He waited for Sirius to answer.
'Ok.' Sirius answered. 'When do we go?'
'Sirius stop you must contain your excitement. It's not good for your health!' James spoke, sarcasm dripping from every word. 'Come on cheer up you grouch!'
A small grin tugged on the side of Sirius mouth. 'Fine... I can't wait! Woo hoo... Now when are we going?'
'This weekend. Leaving on Friday, returning on Sunday. So with that I will leave you to sulk and moan up in your tower your highness.' James joked, bowing lowly.
'Thanks.' Sirius smiled again.
James saluted him as he walked towards the door.
'James...' Sirius called before he left. 'I'm sorry for how I've been the past few days... not feeling myself lately.'
'I know Sirius. No worries.' James left and closed the door.
Sirius sat down at his desk and looked at his surroundings. He thought of his life, of how he ended up in this room, in this house, with this family.
The Potters had happened upon him by chance one day while holidaying in London. He was playing at a reception that had been set up by his father. Elizabeth Potter was particularly impressed by his playing and inquired on his patronage. His father was there and being the ever dotting father he was, had told the Potters of his son's unnatural gift at the piano. That he was the pride and joy of the Black family, Sirius remained suspiciously quiet during this exchange. His father had arranged the patronage of his son to the Potters within the next couple of days - at a handsome fee, of course.
What Elizabeth had learned after taking on the young man was that his father was a strict disciplinarian and that Sirius had resented his own talent because of that. The man would insist on constant practice, sometimes withholding food from the boy. He would regularly beat him for the slightest of infringements and that he would exploit him for money. The boy was like a piece of property for his father to earn money off.
Horrified at his father's lack of compassion, Elizabeth took Sirius aside one day and told him under no uncertain terms that he was not just a guest in their house. It was his home now and if music was something he wanted to focus on they would encourage it. If it was something he would like to leave behind him, they would understand and allow him to choose his own path and help him to achieve his potential. For the first time since his mother's death Sirius felt truly at ease.
The thoughts of his father led him to thoughts of his younger brother, Regulus, who was sent to boarding school when Sirius had taken up residency in the Potter house. He had tried to keep contact with him but his father would not allow it. He would use this trip to London as a chance to speak with Regulus for the first time in many years, to see if he was alright, and if he forgave his older brother for abandoning him all those years ago.
Authors Note: you know what... skip to The end... this authors note is long and silly... my deepest apologises... :)
Read and Review if you would be so kind... although if you are reading this it is logical to assume that you have already read it... so maybe I should leave out the read bit... or else replace it with re-read? I think that Re-read and review would have to many 're's in it... and might be annoying...
The end (of authors note)
Chapter 6 should be up in about a week... roughly!
Thanks!
