...
I'm on the nightrain
Bottoms up
I'm on the nightrain
Fill my cup
I'm on the nightrain
Ready to crash and burn
I never learn
I'm on the nightrain
I love that stuff
I'm on the nightrain
and I can never get enough
I'm on the nightrain
Never to return - no
Night Train-Guns n' Roses
...
"Freedom!"
Remus laughed and shook his head. "You're such a loser, Sirius."
Sirius got down from the dumpster he was standing on top of and lowered his arms, frowning. "Am not."
Remus continued laughing. "Just be careful. You only just now got out of St. Granger's, you don't want to go back already."
Sirius shrugged. "Sure, I guess you're right," he lied. He actually wouldn't have minded being trapped with Hermione another week. But, unfortunately, she was returning to Hogwarts today, so he wouldn't be able to see her for a whole school year.
But he'd make do with what he had, and what he had he believed to be absolutely perfect. For Michelle was waiting for him at Finnegan's Pub, owned by the father of Seamus Finnegan, one of Harry's school friends.
He burst through the doors to find that Michelle had ordered a round for him and several of his friends, who also happened to be there.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, approaching the group with a grinning Remus at his side. "What's up, everyone?"
He pulled Michelle close to him and kissed her hard. "I missed you," he said huskily in her ear.
She smirked. "I'm sure you did."
She squirmed away and handed him a shot, which he took gratefully. Hermione hadn't allowed him a single drink all week. That single shot was like tasting the waters of the Fountain of Youth.
That was the first, but it was by far not the last drink he'd had that night. Or even in the next couple of months. He was back to his party animal self, Hermione nearly forgotten. Nearly.
He partied from dusk till dawn, not entirely caring about the consequences. He was a wanted man already, and he had plenty of friends who would protect him at the drop of a hat.
He returned to Number 12 every night and kept a steady stock of sobering potions that he could easily take whenever he was needed for a meeting or a mission, of which he went on plenty. He got such a rush defending and helping people that he signed up for every mission he possibly could. It felt amazing to be able to help after all of those years being stuck in a cell, unable to do a single thing.
Now, he was free.
Months went by, and he continued speaking to Harry, helping with his problems, and, most importantly, keeping tabs on his friends. He had to make sure they were suitable, didn't he? Hermione, he learned, did the majority of Harry's homework. She also did Ron's, but Ron didn't get the same grades as Harry. Harry believed that Hermione was angry with Ron. He confessed that he knew Hermione fancied Ron, but Ron was completely oblivious and flirted with anything with legs. Sirius laughed when he heard that. He was glad Ron didn't show anything. Ron wasn't good enough for Hermione.
He didn't want to admit who he believed was good enough for her.
...
One more chapter after this for tonight!