Hello! Welcome to the second-to-last chapter of this story!

Marked

Chapter Ten

Wednesday 2nd March 1977

Darkness shrouded him. Occasionally he heard voices before they became muffled and he lost all sense of awareness but then sometimes he heard conversations about himself saying he was not ready to be awakened yet before blackness had claimed him once more.

Eventually though, it got lighter and Sirius Black opened his eyes.

He was lying in a hospital bed, sheets dragged up to his chest with his arms out of the covers, needles placed in his skin and an intravenous drug pumping into his system. He had been in a coma then. It was the only way for potions to be given to an unconscious witch or wizard. They'd had to adapt from Muggle techniques to keep their own kind alive.

Sirius groaned, moaning in pain as the bright light hurt his eyes.

A dark shape moved across his vision.

"Son? Are you okay?"

His mouth felt dry and someone gently lifted his head, placing a cup to his lips and he eagerly drunk the liquid down, his parched throat delighting in the water gushing down it.

Finally his eyes opened. The lights were dimmer and he could recognise the man sitting next to him.

"Mr Potter?" Sirius managed croakily.

The elder Potter smiled at him. "You're my son, Sirius. You do not need to call me that."

"Want…too," whispered Sirius, coughing with the effort to speak.

"Try not to talk too much. Just rest. You've been in a magical coma for the last week. We've been waiting for you to wake up."

Images started to flash through his head, memories of what had happened to him. He remembered arguing with his brother and storming off to the Forbidden Forest which had been his downfall. Bellatix had kidnapped him, taken him to a cave where she had brutally tortured him, taking great delight at every drop of blood spilled. He vaguely recalled talking to James but couldn't be sure. Somehow he had been rescued otherwise Mr Potter wouldn't be by his bedside.

He felt his eyes closing again and he fell back into a dreamless sleep.

He woke again a few hours later feeling more wide awake and ready to sit up, though when he tried pain tore across his chest and he screamed. Footsteps came running and Mr and Mrs Potter came busting into the room, looks of concern plastered across their faces.

"I tried to sit up," he managed. "My chest…"

"It hurt, didn't it?" asked Mrs Potter gently.

He nodded. "I want to sit up."

"We can help you but it will hurt," explained Mr Potter quietly.

"Okay."

Hands moved underneath his back and someone pushed him up slowly. Pain tugged at his chest but Sirius ignored it, grimacing his face and holding onto the pain. They pulled him up the bed before placing a pillow under his head and allowing him to rest back. "Thanks."

"How are you feeling?" asked Mrs Potter.

Sirius pulled a face. "Like someone has run me over and torn me to shreds." Though he knew he wasn't too far from the truth.

"Your cousin did a lot of damage to you," answered Mr Potter. "You will be in hospital for at least another three days before they can consider discharging you. Your broken bones are all healed however it is just your chest the healers are finding difficult to heal."

Sirius bowed his head. "It's the knife, isn't it? It has dark magic on it. What she carved in…" He looked up at them. "It's still there isn't it?"

The Potter parents looked at him sadly before indicating yes.

"Sirius… They have tried to remove the words but once an injury is caused by Dark Magic…"

"It can't be healed," finished Sirius. He knew that. It was one of the first lessons he had been taught as a child by his parents. They had expected him at sixteen to start using dark magic as part of his initiation into the Death Eater circle but his refusal to sully himself with that magic and to be a part of an organisation he disagreed with on principle had meant he had never used Dark Magic before. Of course it hadn't stopped his cousin from using it on him. "She carved 'blood-traitor' didn't she?"

"Do you want to see?" asked Mrs Potter carefully.

Sirius didn't but he would have to face it eventually. Slowly he nodded. He rolled his shirt up as Mrs Potter used a mirror from his bedside table to place in front of him. Glistening dark and angry red were the words that had been seared into his chest forever: 'BLOOD TRAITOR'.

He felt sick. Those words had marked him, would haunt him…

"Honey? Are you alright?" Mrs Potter asked, leaning forward.

His lips trembled and he wanted to cry. He'd been hurt so much that he'd not let go. He didn't care he was seventeen years old. He just wanted to be loved. Sirius gripped her hand and wouldn't let go. He just wanted to be with his family.

Friday 4th March 1977

"James?"

He looked up from the essay he was writing to see Lily standing there, looking a bit awkward. "Are you okay?" he asked her.

She nodded. "I just wanted to talk to you." She looked over her shoulder. "Just not here. Somewhere more private."

"Is something wrong?" he asked again. She was clearly agitated about something.

"Nothing is wrong, Potter," she snapped. "I just need to talk to you."

"If you're wondering how Sirius is, he's being discharged tomorrow. They're letting me go home for a week to be with him, providing I can get the work I miss done before then," said James. It was the reason he was in the library. It was rare he actually worked in the library, choosing to usually write his essays in his dormitory or in the Common Room. But when news had arrived that Sirius would be discharged from St Mungos, he'd been offered the opportunity to go home, as long as he made sure he was ahead in his NEWT work.

Lily sighed, pulling a bit of her red hair back behind her ear. She leaned down beside James. "Remus is a werewolf, isn't he?"

James' eyebrows shot up. "What? How'd you – No, what makes you say that?" he managed to correct himself however he suspected his answer was enough to confirm her suspicions.

"Are you going to come with me?" she asked again.

James nodded. He hastily stuffed his quill, parchment and books into his bag and followed her from the room.

She'd had the thought for a while that Remus was a werewolf. Not that it bothered her. She didn't know how he was one but he certainly hadn't harmed anyone in the years he had been at Hogwarts. Remus' lycanthropy was not a concern of hers, her concern was what James and his friends had done. She'd researched the topic herself once her former friend Severus Snape had told her his suspicions. She had come to the realisation it was likely Remus Lupin was one but assumed the Headmaster and the teachers already knew.

To her he was just Remus. He wasn't someone to be scared of. He was passive, kind and caring and yet if her suspicions were correct he became a monster once a month, something completely out of his control.

Leading James to the Prefect's Bathroom, Lily sealed the chambers once they were inside, ensuring no one could enter.

"Erm…" James scratched the back of his head. "Is there a reason why we are in the bathroom for this conversation?"

Lily folded her arms across her chest. "It's safe and secure. No one can get in unless I lift the charms."

"So…" James moved on his feet looking uncomfortable. "Remus is a werewolf then?"

"Is he?" she asked.

"That isn't for me to tell," replied James.

"You've just confirmed it," said Lily, "but if I know Remus Lupin he won't admit it." She watched his reaction noticing how he winced as she said it. "He will admit it?"

"I'm saying nothing," said James. "I'm not the person you should be having this conversation with."

"Fine. I'll get Remus then," she suggested, moving towards the door. She turned back as James started to follow. "No, Potter, you can stay here."

James gaped at her. "But I've got… Oh never mind. Go then."

She raised one eyebrow up, scrutinising him. "You are hardly in a position to tell me what to do."

James shrugged. "May as well let you go without arguing. Quicker you get Moony here, the sooner I can leave to carry on with my work."

She quirked her head at him, surprised, "I don't think I would ever see the day James Potter would spend time in the library."

"You'd be surprised what I'd do when it comes to my friends."

James paced around the bathroom. He had to admit it was nice in here but is first concern was Moony. It didn't surprise him Lily had worked it out. The problem was what would Remus' reaction be when Lily told him? Would he freak out? Feel like he had to run away? They'd barely managed to stop a twelve-year old Remus from running away when James and his friends had found out.

Lily hadn't grown up in the Wizarding world so it was unlikely she would show any prejudice to him yet the worry remained. He could easily leave and return to the library but he couldn't abandon Remus. He hadn't abandoned Sirius when he'd been in the hands of Bellatrix so he wouldn't do it to Remus.

Lily returned twenty minutes later with Remus in tow.

James was leaning back against the wall, leaning on one of his books, continuing his work on his essay. He placed them back in his bag as they approached him.

"Erm…. Why are we in the girl's bathroom?" asked Remus looking confused.

"Ask Lily," motioned James. "She dragged me in here from the library."

Lily turned to face them both, her green eyes searching them. "I'm just gonna ask and wait for an answer. Are you a werewolf?"

Remus' face went white and his hands shook even as he stuffed them inside his pockets. "What makes you say that?" he asked.

"Exactly what I said," commented James.

Lily rolled her eyes, leaning back against the sink. "It's obvious. You go missing once a month, always at the Full Moon. You are always unwell leading up to it. It's not always noticeable but you get more scars though that has stopped in recent years… And well…" she shrugged, "your hearing is very good for a human so something much be accentuating it. And when we went to rescue Sirius, you could smell his pain and state of health. No ordinary human can do that. Even if you are a werewolf I do not think less of you. You're still Remus to me."

Remus bit his lip. "You don't care what I am?"

James raised his eyebrows. He was surprised at that. Remus had admitted he was one. He figured his friend might have tried to deny it.

Lily shook her head. "No. Why should I care? It's not your fault you have a furry little problem."

James smirked. "You've heard us say that too haven't you?"

She quirked her lips at him. "Maybe…"

"You still want to be friends with me?" asked Remus surprised.

"Yes, I do. I wouldn't abandon you over something you cannot control. Your friends are loyal to you and protect you… That says a lot about who they truly are. It's made me realise, spending more time with all of you this year, that maybe," she turned to James, "you are not as bad I thought you were."

James perked up, a grin on his face and his eyes shining brightly. He leaned back against the wall. "So… Evans… does this mean you will go out with me?"

"Depends if you will admit to being an Animagus or not," laughed Lily. "You have a pair of antlers don't you, Prongs?"

"What-?" James looked at her, stunned, surprise settling over his features.

Remus roared with laughter.

Saturday 5th March 1977

Sirius returned home with orders to stay in bed and rest until he felt well enough to start moving around. Being stubborn he tried to get up and walk and promptly fell down. James was the one who found him, sitting on the floor of his room with a miserable look on his face.

"Seriously, Pads, take it easy."

"I hate being a burden," muttered Sirius as he got back into bed with James' help.

"You are not a burden," said James quietly. "You're my brother. You've been hurt. It's my job to look after you."

Sirius groaned. "I don't like being baby-sat, Potter."

James grinned. "Well, tough. I'm here for a week. Got special permission and all to be out of school. Remus and Peter wanted to come but they had to stay."

"Probably a good thing. I'm not sure your parents would be able to cope with a werewolf on the loose."

"Huh?" James blinked. "Wait. Oh. I forgot! It's a Full Moon tonight! Moony's going to be on his own!"

"Wormtail will be there," Sirius pointed out casually. "If you had known it was a Full Moon would you have come home?"

"Yes," answered James without any hesitation. "I care for Moony but you… you need me more than he does. Moony would understand."

Sirius shook his head. "Did you get in trouble for coming after me? Your dad never actually said."

James' cheeks went pink. "Sort of. We got heavily reprimanded by Dumbledore but then he commended us on coming for you. He thinks Bellatrix was aiming to kill you before we showed up. We managed to prevent it from happening, distract her enough so Dumbledore could arrive in time. I'm not exactly sure if we will be punished or not… Peter was confined to Gryffindor Tower though once he had given the Professor's your location. I think that was his punishment…" He scratched the back of his head. "I honestly do not know if we are facing some punishment or not. I think they may just leave it…"

"And how is the lovely Lily Evans?" teased Sirius. "Decided to go out with you yet?"

"If you weren't injured I'd hit you," muttered James.

Sirius laughed.

"She knows."

"Knows what?"

"That Remus is a werewolf and we are all animagi," stated James.

Sirius' eyes bulged as he sat forward quickly. "What?"

"She worked it out. From observation alone, would you believe? And she figured out we were animagi because of our nicknames and a comment I had made in passing to her shortly after you were kidnapped."

Sirius' lips formed a large 'oh'. "Is she…"

James shook his head, little strands of black hair falling across his vision. "No, she won't tell anyone. Thinks it is rather noble and brave what we did to be able to be with Remus on the Full Moon." James shifted, a slight smile forming on his face. "Lily hasn't agreed to date me yet but she has said yes to going to Hogsmeade with me – as a friend."

Sirius smirked. "Didn't I say you had to be yourself around her?"

"You did."

"What's my prize for being right?" grinned Sirius.

"You're lucky I saved your life!" countered James.

Sirius laughed. "You were going to try to do that anyway! Come on… surely I have to have some prize of giving you advice on how to woo Miss Lily Evans… or is it now the future Mrs Potter?"

James hit him, only to have his mother walk in and see him who then thoroughly scolded him for injuring Sirius more, especially after what he had been through. James just glared at his best friend as Sirius couldn't stop laughing.

"Aunt Walburga. Uncle Orion." Bellatrix curtseyed, dipping her head in respect of their power. "I come bearing news."

"We know you failed to kill the blood-traitor. He is recuperating with the Potters," Walburga said harshly. "We want him dead."

"The Dark Lord, our esteemed Lord, has requested I leave the boy for now. He has need of me elsewhere," she hissed out. "I am disappointed he has requested this of me as I dearly wish to spill the blood-traitor's blood."

"I thought he wanted to be rid of blood-traitors, especially one who refused his gift?" asked Orion Black curiously.

Bellatrix raised her head. "My Lord says the boy is a distraction that can be dealt with later once he leaves Hogwarts. He will be easier to target: he is too well protected while he remains at school. I cannot stay camped out in the forest in the hope of capturing him as before. They will expect that. Security at the Potters has increased. Acquiring him will be difficult. I dare not disobey our glorious Lord but I swear on the Black Family motto we will remain pure. Anyone who corrupts our line will be hunted down and killed. If I meet the blood-traitor in battle, I will spill his blood. On that, I swear."

Walburga Black's face was thunderous however Orion reached across and placated his wife.

"My dear, the blood-traitor will die, just not as soon as we wish for him to be. Regulus can still be our heir. By the time we are gone Regulus will have become the true heir."

Walburga turned to face her husband, her expression changing. "Yes, our Regulus will not disappoint us. He will bring honour to our family. We will remain pure."

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

The Epilogue will be posted next week!

Just a few notes. I think its reasonable Sirius would break down in front of the Potters, despite being seventeen, he has gone through a terrible time and even he wouldn't be immune to that.

Lily working out Remus is a werewolf and that they are Animagi I think is reasonable. She seems to be quite intelligent in what we know of her in canon and I think she'd be cheeky enough to joke with James about it when trying to find out if he is one. Also, it is said in canon that James and Lily didn't start dating until their last year so I think its reasonable to assume they would have started being friendly more and then working together as head boy and girl got them together properly.

I love writing James and Sirius' brother/friendship bond. It's so much fun to write!

And finally... Voldemort is trying to win a war and he needs Bellatrix to stop going after her cousin. I think Sirius' parents, though disappointed, would respect Voldemort's demands on this. And it certainly would be easier to target and kill him once he has left Hogwarts. So for now they are willing to let it drop. My original confrontation to this story was to have Voldemort show up in the cave with Bellatrix and James and Lily dueled him but I don't think that would have worked - and I imagine James and Lily defied Voldemort in the two years before Harry was born after leaving school, rather than before.

That is all from me... See you for the Epilogue next week!

Until then,

the-writer1988