As always, a massive thank you to Ambush99 for her wonderful betaing skills.

Chapter 18

Professor Collins made his way down the corridor towards the hall. He didn't regret the conversation he had had with Minvera, just the tone in which it had taken place. But he had been frustrated. The older Black child drove him up the wall at times, as he seemed to be content with idling along in neutral, seemingly lacking the motivation to challenge himself. He had thought it had been the case in today's lesson, only to find it couldn't have been further from the truth. What had Dumbledore been thinking when he had thought it best not to disclose Sirius' condition to the staff? He knew the man was an enigma at times, but this was not war related. This was a sixteen year old boy's life they were talking about. Forcing the boy to attend lessons, when it was obvious he wasn't well enough to, was cruel. Not disclosing the boy's condition to the teaching body, so they would treat him as though he was healthy, was almost barbaric.

He found himself frowning when he saw the boy in question was walking towards him, supported by his best friend. Not wanting to make the same mistake twice, he eyed the boy carefully. Sirius appeared pale and unsteady on his feet; it almost looked as though he was in shock. "Mr. Black," he called out.

Sirius felt his breath catch in his throat, as he looked wildly around. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Mate, it's okay, your dad's not here. Professor Collins is asking about you."

Professor Collins found himself frowning at the boy's reaction. The poor boy looked utterly terrified and broken. "Sirius," he tried again. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"Professor, I'm, I'm sorry…"

"Sirius, you have nothing to be sorry for, it's me who should be apologising."

"But-"

"Sirius, you're not in any trouble and I've cancelled your detention. I was wrong to give it to you. I didn't realise you were ill."

"Professor, I'm okay," Sirius replied, as he attempted a smile.

"Sirius, it's obvious you're not. And don't worry about those essays you haven't handed in or your marks this term. We will sort them out."

Sirius stood there, at a loss of what to do. Part of him was relieved that people knew, and that he was trying. He knew he had a reputation as a troublemaker, but he did actually want to learn. The other part of him was terrified. What had Professor Collins been told? Did he think he was weak and pathetic, as he had so regularly been told?

"Thank you," was all he could manage in the end.

"And we'll sort the rest of your lessons out as well."

"I guess I'll have to, well, I'm probably too far behind to take my OWLs this year," Sirius said quietly.

"Sirius, with a bit of effort you could have got an O in your third year. You'll get an O in your OWLs, no problem. Once this is all over, and you're feeling up to it, I'll coach you for your NEWTs. I reckon we can get you an O this time next year."

"Thank you," Sirius replied quietly, as he looked down and away, avoiding eye contact.

"Is there anything you need?"

"No thank you," Sirius said in a near whisper, wondering how much longer his resolve would hold up. He felt numb. Drained of everything. Drained of life. Drained of his spirit. The only thing he felt now was broken. They had tried to break him, and they had finally succeeded.

"Professor, actually there is something," James said, jumping in for the first time.

"Yes Mr Potter?"

"Is your fireplace connected to the floo network? Just, Sirius and I need to make a call to my dad. He's a lawyer you see," James quickly added, seeing confusion cross the professor's face.

"Of course," Professor Collins replied. "Follow me."

"James," Sirius started weakly.

"Padfoot, it's going to be alright. Dad will believe you. Professor Collins likes you, he's going to personally tutor you for NEWTs so you can do it a year early. I know if you told him what happened, he'd believe you and he would help you."

"But..."

"Dad can tell you your legal options."

"How's that going to help? They'll never let me go! Only in death will they let me go," Sirius replied in a lost, defeated voice.

"That's why we are going to talk to my dad. He'll find a way so you can leave them now! He'll find a way you'll never have to see them again. He'll make sure they can never hurt you again. I'm not going to let them kill you!" James said fiercely, as he guided his friend through the corridors.

"But James, they are powerful. You don't realise the power they wield!"

"So is my dad! Mate, we're not going to let you go without a huge fight. I don't think you realise how much you mean to my parents."

"James-"

"No Padfoot."

"Prongs, please. I, I don't know, but…"

"You're scared, I get that."

"Do you Prongs?!" Sirius hissed. "Do you really?!"

"No, I don't," James replied simply, not knowing what else to say. "My parents love me. My family loves me. They never laid a finger on me, so I guess I don't really understand. But my dad will help you."

Professor Collins slowed slightly and watched the two boys for a moment as they approached his office. How could he not have seen it before? Sirius looked dead on his feet, Potter seemingly holding him up. He knew Potter would have supported his friend regardless, but for him to do it alone put way too much pressure on the fifteen year old. He was going to have serious words with Dumbledore when he was done here. "Tutankhamun," he said, as he got to his office door. "I'll be just outside if you need anything," he said, standing aside to let the boys in.

"Thanks."

"Thank you," Sirius said quietly, as he followed his friend into the professor's office. Apprehension began to build inside of him. The room swam in and out of focus. He couldn't. He couldn't tell, he'd already said too much. He knew his parents wouldn't hesitate to carry out their threats. He knew he was dying; he questioned whether he had more than a few weeks left in him. So, what was the point of telling someone? As soon as he died, Reg would be heir to the Black title and his life would just be an ill memory and a burn on a tapestry.

"Sirius mate, sit down, okay? I'm going to call dad."

"James," Sirius said quietly as he sank down onto a battered but comfortable leather sofa.

"No Sirius, this has gone too far. I thought the teachers would do something, but they haven't. I know your parents threatened you, I'm guessing they threatened me as well," James started. He watched his friend look away and took it as confirmation. "But it doesn't mean you don't deserve to live, because you do. You didn't do anything wrong."

"James," Sirius started in a shaky voice, all resolve crumbling around him. "I'm, I'm scared."

"I know. Me too. I don't know what to do. That's why we need to talk to my dad," James said, as he quietly sat next to his friend, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

"Okay," Sirius replied in a near whisper.

"Are you sure?" James watched Sirius nod. "Okay," he said as he stood and walked towards the fire, carefully eyeing his friend's fragile and defeated form. He had let it go on for too long, but he hadn't known what to do. Where was Dumbledore in all of this? Why had it fallen to him? Taking a handful of powder, he threw it into the fire, watching it glow green for a moment before sticking his head into the fire. "Fleamont Potter, law offices!"

Fleamont Potter was surprised to say the least when his son's head appeared in his fireplace. Putting down the parchment he was reading, he quickly strode over to the fireplace. "James?! Is everything okay?"

"Umm, no it's not," James managed, struggling to keep it together.

"What's the matter? What happened? Are you okay?" Fleamont demanded frantically.

"I'm, I'm, dad I'm fine. It's Sirius, he needs your help."

Fleamont exhaled slowly, part of him relieved his son was unharmed, the other part feeling sick. Sirius may not be his blood, but he considered the boy a son. His assumptions had been correct, Sirius was in danger. Taking a calming breath, he pressed on. "Where are you, James? Is Sirius with you? Are you both safe?"

"We're at Hogwarts and Sirius is with me, and I think I'm safe, but Sirius isn't," James managed, barely holding back the tears. "Dad, I need you. I really need you. Please help us."

"Of course. When do you want to meet? You've got a Hogsmeade weekend soon."

"No dad, we need you now!"

"Okay, okay James it's going to be alright," Fleamont tried to reassure his panicking son. Apprehension grew. What the hell was going on at that school? His son wasn't messing around, there was real fear and stress in his voice. Where the hell were the teachers?!

"Where are you?"

"Professor Collins office. He's the Ancient Runes teacher."

"Is it okay if I step through the fire place?"

James turned slowly and took a moment to observe Sirius, who now sat shaking, his knees draw tight to his chest. "Yeah, it's okay," he replied. "It's just me and Sirius."

Fleamont Potter brushed the soot off his robes, as he stepped calmly out of the fireplace. He tried to take a moment to take in the situation before him. His son looked tired, pale and strained. Sirius looked, well, like death warmed up. "James, are you okay?"

"I'm fine dad," James said, as he straightened up and forced on a strong face. "It's Sirius you need to help."

Fleamont nodded, not believing his son for a moment. "I will, but I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine dad, I promise. Just worried about Sirius, that's all."

"If you're sure."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Sirius," Fleamont said gently as he crouched down in front of the boy. He waited a moment for him to respond. Curled tightly into himself, shaking, Sirius made no response to indicate he had heard him. "Sirius, it's Fleamont Potter, James' dad. Are you okay? Do you need someone to get Madam Pomfrey?" Still no indication the boy had heard, or even noticed he was there. He wondered if Sirius was shaking through cold, shock or fear, or maybe it was a combination of everything. "Sirius, I'm going to put my cloak around your shoulders, okay? You just look a little cold." Getting no response, he slowly slipped off his cloak and gently draped it over the boy's trembling shoulders.

Feeling something touch his shoulders, Sirius let out a strangled yelp and jumped back, pushing himself as far back as the sofa would allow. He felt bile rise in his throat, as he fought to control his panic. Voices pushed into his thoughts. He recognised them but his panic wouldn't allow him to place them.

"Padfoot," James said quickly, as he carefully wrapped his arms around his panicked friend. "It's okay mate, it's just dad and me, remember. I was going to floo dad for his help and he's here. He's not going to hurt you. He's going to help you, remember?"

Sirius could just make out James' voice over his own ragged breaths. He struggled to place what had happened and where he was. "Where am I?"

"Professor Collins' office. He's letting us use it so I could floo dad. Can you remember that, mate?"

Sirius slowly nodded. "Yeah, sorry I just. It all got messed up," he said in a whisper.

"That's okay mate. It's just me and dad, no one else is here."

"I'm sorry Mr. Potter," Sirius said quietly.

"Whatever for, Sirius? If anyone it should be me apologising for startling you," Fleamont started. He watched the boy nod, feeling glad he'd formed some connection. "Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey to check you're alright?"

"I, I don't know. What do you think?"

"Well, are you in pain? Do you feel ill?"

"What, more than normal?" Sirius said in a hollow laugh.

Fleamont winced and set his jaw. How the hell had the school allowed Sirius to suffer like this? "Yes, more than normal," he replied in a tense voice. He watched the boy nod. "Is it okay if I get James to go and get Madam Pomfrey?" He watched Sirius nod again.

"James can you please get Madam Pomfrey."

"I'll be back in a minute mate," James said, patting his friend's shoulder.

Fleamont waited for a moment before he started again. "Sirius, do you understand the term 'lawyer client privilege'?" he asked carefully.

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. I can't afford a lawyer," Sirius replied tiredly.

"But you think you need one?"

"Whether I need one or not is irrelevant. I don't have a Knut to my name."

Fleamont nodded. "What do you understand by the term 'pro bono'?"

"It's Latin, but it basically means for free," Sirius replied in a tired voice.

"That means you can get access to a lawyer."

"Yeah, that's all good in theory Mr. Potter, but who would give me free legal advice!?"

"I would," Fleamont said simply.

"What?! Why?" Sirius said in disbelief.

"Because everyone deserves the right to have legal advice and you, I know you Sirius and I care about you."

"But why?"

"Because I've known you since you were twelve. You're my son's best friend. You've spent pretty much every holiday at our home. You're a good person, Sirius."

"I'm not."

"What? Have you said or done anything hurtful? Of course, you have, you're human. Show me a person who claims they haven't and I'll show you a liar. Sirius, you are a good person. Have you made mistakes? Of course, you have. So have I," Fleamont carefully continued. He watched Sirius continue to avoid eye contact, and nervously pick at the cast, which Fleamont was noticing for the first time. "Sirius, what happened to your arm?"

"Nothing," Sirius replied quietly, as he tugged the sleeve over his hand.

"Okay," Fleamont replied slowly. "Sirius, it's going to be okay."

"What? How is everything going to be okay?! Why the hell are you lying to me? Why is everyone bloody lying to me?!" Sirius snapped, his head remaining down, his hair hiding his face.

"Okay, I don't know if it's going to be okay, but if I don't know what happened I can't help," Fleamont replied in a strong voice. "I promise you Sirius, I will not lie to you, however hard it is. But you have to talk to me. Sirius, do you know who hurt you?"

Sirius dropped his head further. "Yes," he replied in a hoarse whisper. "But."

"Sirius, do you want me to be your lawyer?" Fleamont watched the boy slowly nod.

"Okay. You know, anything you say to me is confidential. I can only pass that

information on if you give me permission."

"Okay," Sirius replied, as he nodded slowly.

"Sirius, the people who hurt you, did they threaten you?" Fleamont asked carefully. He watched the boy close his eyes and nod. He pressed on. "Did they threaten anyone else?" He watched Sirius nod again. "Sirius, I know this is hard, but can you tell me who hurt you?"

Sirius took a couple of shallow breaths. "My parents," he finally whispered.

Of course, he had known the Blacks' obsession with blood purity and the dark arts, but he'd never imagined it would amount to abusing their own son and heir. He had so many questions, but he knew it would be a while before Sirius trusted him enough to answer them. "Has anyone discussed your options with you?"

"Options!?" Sirius exclaimed, shaking his head. "Mr. Potter I'm under-aged, I have no options. I'm my parents' possession until I turn seventeen."

"Just because you are under-aged, it doesn't mean you don't have rights and you are most certainly not someone's possession," Fleamont replied in a shocked voice.

"Yeah," Sirius said bitterly. "No, of course I'm not."

"A thousand galleons."

The tall, pale man let out a laugh and looked down at the trembling boy. "A thousand galleons? For that?!"

"It is my heir," Orion Black replied calmly, as he looked down at his eldest son with disdain.

The tall man crossed the room and stood over the boy for a moment. "I'll give you a Knut for it."

"Please my lord, I know it's pathetic but don't insult me. Does a hundred galleons sound more agreeable?"

"I'll take it off your hands for ten galleons."

Orion regarded his son for a moment. "You have a deal," he said as he rounded his desk and shook the other man's hand.

"Father, please," Sirius pleaded.

"You are no son of mine. You have always been pathetic, weak and worthless, but thankfully, due to this kind man's generosity, you are no longer my responsibility.

"Father?" Sirius whispered, as he watched his father turn and walk away. He closed his eyes and backed up against the wall. As the heir to the Black title and fortune, he always knew he was just a possession, but he never thought it would amount to them actually selling him. He was trapped now. Any notion of escaping when he was seventeen had long since passed.

"Sirius? Sirius are you okay?"

Sirius blinked several times as the voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Yeah, sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, you just drifted off that's all," Fleamont said kindly. "Is it something you want to tell me about?" He watched as the boy shook his head and drew his knees up to his chest. "We were discussing your options, weren't we?" He watched Sirius slowly nod and pressed on. "What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know," Sirius said in a mumbled whisper. "I don't have any options apart from going back."

"No Sirius, you absolutely do not have to go back to them. You never have to see them again if you don't want to."

"How?! They'll just pay someone off, like they always do. I, I don't know what to do," Sirius mumbled, as he buried his head in his knees.

"I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I'm guessing you're scared and confused," Fleamont started. He watched the boy nod, before pressing on. "You're terrified of them, yet at the same time they're your family."

"They can get the Ministry to bend to their whim," Sirius added, as he slowly looked up. "I'm trapped and I don't think, well I don't think I could-"

"Stand in front of the Ministry and give evidence against them?" Fleamont suggested. He watched his young client nod. "Merlin Sirius, I would never force you to do that."

"What do you suggest?" Sirius asked, holding Fleamont's glaze for a moment before looking down again.

"A restraining order," Fleamont replied simply. "They wouldn't be able to contact you or come within 500 yards of you. I think, now correct me if I'm wrong, but it might just give you a bit of time and space to figure out what you want."

"What do you need from me?"

"Nothing at the moment, Sirius. But in a couple of days, we'll need to go to a judge. It's nothing to worry about, all you need to do is say what you want," Fleamont explained. Hearing a knock on the door, he looked up. "Yes?"

"Mr. Potter, I have been told Sirius needs to see me."

"Sirius, is that okay?" Fleamont asked, returning his focus. He watched the boy nod.

"Please come in." He felt Sirius take his hand. "Do you want me to stay?" Fleamont frowned when he didn't get a response from Sirius, other than the boy squeezing his hand tighter. What had happened to Sirius? How was the school treating him? Whatever had happened to Sirius, it was clear the school hadn't been managing his condition.

"Sirius, I will stay, if that's what you want," Fleamont said quietly, as he continued to hold Sirius' hand. "I'm not leaving you Sirius. I'm here. I'm not going to leave you." He watched as Sirius didn't give a response, other than to dip his head and continue to squeeze his hand. Fleamont looked over at his son, to see that James had somehow managed to go a couple of shades paler than before. He tried to give a reassuring nod and smile, hoping it helped, but knowing it probably wouldn't have any effect.

"Mr Potter, is it okay if I treat Sirius?" Madam Pomfrey asked quietly. "I've brewed a painkiller for him if he's in pain."

"Sirius?" Fleamont said gently. He frowned when Sirius' only response was to bury his head into Fleamont's chest. "Sirius?" he called out again. "Sirius are you okay? Madam Pomfrey has a pain killer for you."

"Hurts," Sirius mumbled.

"I know. But the pain killer should help that," Fleamont said gently. He watched as Sirius shook his head. "It doesn't work?" he asked. He waited for a moment, before he watched Sirius shake his head again. "The pain killer hurts you?" he guessed. He watched Sirius nod. He felt his heart clench. Even when the school thought they were helping Sirius, they weren't. They were just furthering his suffering.

"Okay, okay," Fleamont said quietly. "Sirius I am going to help you." He looked up at Madam Pomfrey's confused expectant face and shook his head. "No, you can't give him that. It hurts him."

Madam Pomfrey opened her mouth wide. "Oh! I didn't know. I'm so sorry Sirius," she apologised.

"It's okay, you didn't know," Fleamont said, as he shook his head. But to be frank, he didn't care. He didn't care one jot about the staff who had neglected the boy he considered a son. Sure, some of them had tried, but clearly not hard enough.

"I'll, I'll brew something else," Madam Pomfrey stammered, as she hurried out of the room.

"Sirius can you hear me?" Fleamont asked gently. He waited for a moment before Sirius let out a strangled sob. "I can't imagine how hard things are for you right now. And I know right now it seems impossible that you'll ever feel okay, but you will."

"How?" Sirius finally asked.

"I want to speak to Dumbledore, if that's okay with you."

"Why? He doesn't believe a word I say."

Fleamont nodded. "Well, he will have to listen to me," he said fiercely. "Whatever the school is doing, is obviously not working for you. That's the first thing I need to address. Are you okay if you wait here with James?"

Sirius slowly looked up. "Yeah, but you're doing too much."

"I'm your lawyer, Sirius. I am doing my job."

"Okay," Sirius replied quietly.

"James," Fleamont called out. He patted his son's shoulder as he approached. "Will you two be okay staying here whilst I talk to Dumbledore?"

"Yeah, we'll be fine," James said confidently, but his body language told a different story.

"I'll be back shortly," Fleamont said, as he stood, patting Sirius on the shoulder before walking out the room.

"Mr Potter, how is he?" Professor Collins asked, as he watched the older man step out of his office.

"What have you been told about Sirius's condition?"

"Until this morning, nothing. I had mistakenly given Sirius a detention and Professor McGonagall informed me Sirius had been poisoned and attacked."

"Professor McGonagall only informed you today about Sirius' condition?!"

"Yes. Still, it was inexcusable I didn't pick up that something was wrong with Sirius."

Fleamont nodded. "I need to talk to the headmaster. Do you know if he's in?"

"I believe so."

Fleamont nodded again. "Can you ensure no one enters your office apart from me. That includes Madam Pomfrey." Normally he wouldn't assert himself like he had but, right now, all he cared about was his son and Sirius. "Would it be possible to get some food sent up to them?"

"Of course," Professor Collins said, and without a further word, he clicked his fingers, summoning a house elf.

Fleamont turned and headed towards the headmaster's office. It had been more years than he was willing to admit since he had walked these corridors, but they still felt familiar. He used the cool, calming corridors to try to relax his mind. What had happened to Sirius to cause him to be in this state? It appeared the staff, or at least the senior staff, were aware of the situation, but they weren't doing anything about it.

Fleamont took a breath as he reached the headmaster's office. It wasn't as if he was nervous and it wasn't as if he was lost for words. It was more he needed to control his emotions. Taking another relaxing breath, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Fleamont pushed the unlocked door and made his way up the spiral staircase. "Headmaster."

"Fleamont Potter, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I own this pleasure?"

"I am here as Sirius Black's legal representative."

Dumbledore frowned from behind his desk. "I wasn't aware Mr Black needed legal representation."

"He believes he does and so do I," Fleamont replied, matching Dumbledore's look.

"And why is that?" Dumbledore asked, steeping his fingers together.

"I think you know why," Fleamont replied, setting his face. "Someone hurt him and he's fearful it will happen again."

"Mr Black is safe here," Dumbledore replied, leaning back in his chair.

"Is he?" Fleamont challenged.

"I believe so. Hogwarts is a place of safety for all of my students."

Fleamont raised an eyebrow. "Dumbledore, I respect you as a wizard. I respect you as a person. I respect you as a headmaster. But you have really dropped the ball with Sirius. I have just been speaking to a child who is terrified out of their mind. A child who is exhausted and in pain. A child who is stressed beyond belief. He is a prime candidate for accidental magic. Something needs to be done!"

"I was aware of an incident involving Mr Black," Dumbledore started.

"An incident!" Fleamont exclaimed. "The child I was just speaking to was as far removed from the Sirius I know as I thought possible. What is the school doing for him?"

"Well, the healers are doing everything they can for him, but they thought it best if he returned to school and carried on with life."

"I'm not a healer, but that is clearly not working. If he performs accidental magic, it will not be his fault. He will be forced to do it because of the situation he has been forced into!" Fleamont growled.

"What would you propose?" Dumbledore replied calmly.

Fleamont took a breath to calm himself. "Firstly, you need to guarantee you will not contact his parents."

"I won't."

"I need you to guarantee that. Will you accept an unbreakable vow?" Fleamont replied, matching Dumbedore's calm voice.

"Isn't that a little excessive?"

"I don't think it is," Fleamont replied, shaking his head. "If you weren't going to do it, when why are you worried about an unbreakable vow? It would just be a formality."

"I see."

"Well," Fleamont replied, leaning back in his chair. "Shall we get this over with?"

"Of course," Dumbledore responded, extending his hand.

Fleamont took Dumbledore's hand and raised his wand. He muttered a few words and watched golden strands connect their two hands. "Well," he said with a pause. "Seeing as we have dealt with that matter, we need to discuss Sirius' schooling. Telling him to 'get back to school' and 'get on with lessons' without informing the teaching body about his situation is clearly not working."

"The teaching body and I will meet tomorrow to discuss this."

"Good," Fleamont replied. "I will want full details of that meeting and will be present when you inform Sirius of the changes."

"Of course Mr Potter," Dumbledore replied politely.

"Thank you," Fleamont replied, rising and extending his hand.

"It was pleasure," Dumbledore replied, accepting Fleamont's hand.

Fleamont exchanged pleasantries with Dumbledore before heading back out into the corridors. He hoped the news he brought would add a degree of comfort to Sirius. "Professor," he said, greeting Professor Collins.

"I hope you achieved everything you wanted," Professor Collins enquired pleasantly.

"I believe so," Fleamont replied lightly. "How has everything been here?"

"Quiet," Professor Collins responded. "Two house elves delivered some hot food for James and Sirius, but apart from that no one has been here."

"Thank you," Fleamont replied, taking Professor Collins' hand. "I am sorry I was rather short and demanding with you earlier. I was just, well worried about Sirius."

"Not a problem, and that makes two of us." Professor Collins stopped and sighed. "I should have noticed something was wrong. Sirius is an intelligent child and my classes don't challenge him. I thought it was that. But anyone who had just, well, just looked at what happened could have told something darker was at play."

"Professor, it is complicated."

"Of course, but I made it more complicated for him."

Fleamont nodded. Mistakes had been made, but at least this young professor admitted to them. "I am going to talk to my son and Sirius. Then I think Sirius should rest in the dorm."

"I agree with you, Mr Potter, and I will happily escort them to the Gryffindor Tower."

Fleamont nodded. "Thank you," he said, before heading into the office. He took a moment to observe the scene in front of him. Sirius seemed to look a little better than before. He was still pale and thin, but there was a little more life in him. James still looked stressed, and could he blame him?

"Sirius," Fleamont said gently, as he bent down, his ancient knees protesting. "How are you?"

"What did Dumbledore say?" Sirius asked nervously.

Fleamont sighed and tried to smile. "Dumbledore and I have cast an unbreakable vow. He will not be contacting your parents."

"But, that's, like, I," Sirius stammered.

"It was insurance, Sirius. He said he wasn't going to contact them, so if he wasn't, it's just a formality," Fleamont replied with a shrug.

"I dunno."

"Because if Dumbledore cannot offer you the same level of protection he enjoys, why should he have it when you don't?"

"I guess so."

"Dumbledore is going to have a staff meeting to address your schooling." Fleamont watched Sirius go tense, and held his hand up. "Sirius, this is not your fault. What they are doing is wrong and it isn't working for you."

"What, what do you suggest I do?"

"Now?" Fleamont replied gently. "I suggest you go back to the dorm with James and try to rest. I know right now you may feel the school is against you. And to be honest with you, I don't disagree with you. I don't think they did it deliberately, I think they just didn't know."

"But the school. The teachers," Sirius started.

"They will be fine. I will deal with them."

Sirius dropped his head for a moment before tiredly looking at Mr Potter. "Thank you, Mr Potter."

"I was doing my job," Fleamont replied with a smile, as he gently patted Sirius's arm. "Do you want to go back to the dorm and rest?"

Sirius looked down before finally looking up and holding Fleamont's gaze. "Yeah," he admitted. "I think that's best."

Fleamont nodded, before smiling and gently squeezing Sirius' shoulder. "James, are you okay to help Sirius to the dorm?"

"Of course," James answered enthusiastically.

"Good," Fleamont replied, as he gently hugged his son. "Right, you two better make it to the dorm before the next lesson breaks up." He waited for a moment as the two boys slowly stood and made their way hesitantly towards the door.

"Professor," Fleamont addressed. "Would it be possible to escort James and Sirius to the Gryffindor tower?"

"Of course," Professor Collins replied, slightly bowing. "Sirius, again, can I apologise for my behaviour this morning. I am truly sorry. As I said, all of your essays, homework etc have been cancelled. If you don't feel well enough for your lesson tomorrow, that's fine. You and I can catch up at a later date."

"Thank you," Sirius managed, before looking to Mr Potter. Words could not express his gratitude. "Thank you, Mr Potter."

"It was my pleasure, Sirius," Fleamont replied with a smile, as he gently laid a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "You should go. Catch the calm before the storm."

"Come on Sirius, let's go before the mid-afternoon break craziness happens," James said, grinning, swinging his arm around Sirius' shoulders.

Sirius took a moment to look between Mr Potter, Professor Collins and James. "That would be good," he managed.

"Well, thank you dad and Professor Collins, but Sirius and I have places to go," James replied with a forced grin, as he turned himself and Sirius, heading towards the dorm.

Fleamont watched as his son and Sirius headed off. Had he done enough? No. Had he helped? Hopefully. He turned and headed towards the fire. He needed to get back to the office. He had serious work to do.