The beds were warm and the room at a perfect temperature, but still Sirius could not sleep. The wind seemed to howl like a ghost sighing, and the moon shone bright, as if recounting his many sins.

How dare you break tradition, the wind seemed to howl.

Sirius knew a Howler from his mother was coming, and he wasn't exactly looking forward to it.

And he just couldn't sleep.

So Sirius got out of bed, gathered a quill and ink from his trunk, picked up a stray piece of parchment, went to the common room, and began to write a letter.

Dear Regulus,

I've been Sorted into Gry-

The quill slipped across the page, ink smearing like blood as Sirius was sucked into his memories.

Sirius eating candy apples in the kitchen with Regulus. They hear a scream from downstairs. Regulus is frightened, Sirius places his apple in a bowl and promises he'll check, he'll be right back.

In the basement, a Mudblood girl is tied to a chair. She can't be more than 11, Sirius's age. His mother is Crucioing her out of her mind as she begs her to stop.

"Latissia Young," shrieks his mother, eyes alight with malicious glee. "Repay us for your crimes!"

Sirius sees a small page float to the bottom of the chair. S.O.B. + L. S. Y. it reads.

He recognizes the girl from the town where his mother buys the candy apples and wants to scream.

Her pale brown eyes catch on his, and he can't take it anymore. Sirius runs upstairs and abandons her.

He leaves Latissia, and he is sure she will die.

In the present, Sirius awoke to James shaking him. "Dude," said James. "It was just a dream."

Sirius nods dumbly. "Okay. I'm fine."

He followed James back up the Gryffindor stairs, thinking of her screams.

I owe her the fact to make sure she's okay.

"Hey James," said Sirius slowly. "This weekend, would you come with me to Hogsmeade?"

"First years aren't allowed!" said James, wheeling on his foot.

"We could sneak out," suggested Sirius.

James smiled. "I like how you think. Let's get some rest and tommorrow we'll figure out the details, kay?"

"Sure," said Sirius.

And this time, he slept a little easier.

But not a lot.

Author's Note: Hey guys! I just want you to know I'll be going on vacation very soon, so I might not update as frequently. But don't worry, I have something special planned for when I get back.

Huge shoutouts to TheRavenclawPhoenix and katiek121 for reviewing, and more shoutouts to FoUr4SqUaRe and TheRavenclawPhoenix for favoriting. You're the best.

I also noticed a friend of ours in Denmark is reading this. Whoever you may be, BIG THUMBS UP TO YOU.