Hey again! :) It's a new week, and I thought I would post chapter 13 real quick!

Thank you so sooooo much to my awesome reviewers, Gypsyrose98 Guest, Guest, and Nimphxdora! :) You guys ROCK! :D

The next few days, he spent more and more time with Graham and Jake- never feeling like a third wheel though, he always felt included and welcomed. He watched Jake practice, they all had tea together again, or would meet up outside for a walk.

Miraculously, neither Snape nor Dumbledore had mentioned one word about his meltdown in Snape's class- the Potion Master had treated him like nothing ever happened actually when he had went back to the class the next day, ready to apologize, and Dumbledore had simply told him he'd give him another chance when he spoke to him that night.

Sirius had no idea why he had not gotten expelled, but he certainly was not going to complain. He had confessed everything to Remus, but the werewolf had seemed somewhat distracted and had barely paid attention, which Sirius had found extremely strange. Remus was absent minded a lot lately, but Sirius was unable to help the Lupin with his problems, whatever they might be, since he had more than enough to do to figure his own shit out.

He had not spoken to Aurelius since the day he'd run out, and he was not planning to, either. His anger outburst in Snape's class had somewhat sobered him, and Graham's and Jake's friendliness helped a lot in making him smile again. He had stopped studying like an idiot, and he had started playing games with Dennis, Nigel, and the others again, but there was still a part of him that was aching, longing for…

"Class dismissed", Snape's sharp words interrupted his daydreams, and he hesitantly stood up, packing his stuff together, most of his classmates already rushing out the door.

"A word, Mr. Lemarc."

Oh shit.

Sirius bit his lips, knowing this had to happen eventually. Snape had accepted his apology the other day without another word, probably secretly planning something else to get him expelled.

"How did you do it, Black?"

Sirius blinked, "uhm…did what?"

Snape's dark eyes were sparkling with contempt, "don't play games with me, Black- how did you convince Dumbledore not to expel you?"

"I…I didn't."

Snape snorted, "then why is he still keeping you around? His conditions were clear- one more of your little tantrums and you are out, yet you are still here."

"Uhm…I guess Remus talked to him", Sirius tried, even though he was certain Remus still had no clue what had really happened, as absent-minded as he was lately.

"Lupin? He cannot even think straight anymore, having his heads in the clouds for most of the time."

"He's just busy", Sirius made a lame attempt to defend his guardian, "I did not go to Dumbledore, not until later that day, and he just…said he'd give me another chance."

"Another one? How many chances do you actually need, Black? A hundred? A thousand?"

"Very funny."

"This has stopped being funny a long time ago, Black", Snape hissed at him, "starting with Lupin stealing from my potion's cabinet. You are nothing but a nuisance, and as I said the other day, I have no idea why Aurelius still bothers to train you- is he really that desperate?"

Sirius took a deep breath, realizing that Snape was trying to make him angry again. The Potion Master had finally found his weak spot- Aurelius- and he had taken great pleasure in mocking Aurelius and him the day he had made the cauldron explode, and now he was trying to go for the same weak spot again, probably hoping he'd do something even worse so Dumbledore had no choice to expel him.

What a git.

Disgusted, Sirius turned around, "is that all?", he did not even try to sound polite, "I would like to go to lunch now."

Snape did not bother to respond, so Sirius wordlessly left the classroom, feeling like slamming the door behind him. Snape was a resentful, sadistic piece of shit- but he also had given him something to think about. If Remus had not gone to Dumbledore to plead his case, then…who had?

He suddenly froze in his tracks. It…it wouldn't have been Aurelius, would it?

Now I am really losing my mind.

Of course Aurelius had not gone to Dumbledore to prevent him from getting him expelled- why should he? He had screamed and cursed at him, and then he had just ran off, Aurelius had no reason to help him. Not at all.

Besides, he'd have told me if he'd done that- rub it in my face how incompetent I am.

He forced himself to forget about the whole thing and went to lunch. Graham had asked him to meet him and Jake in the library later, and Sirius had been looking forward to that all day. Graham read Jake actual stories- stories about dragons, and werewolves, and centaurs, and the other day, he had been invited to join them for their story time. Graham had found a quiet corner for them all, and then he had sat on the floor, Jake to his right and Sirius to his left, and he had started reading them a story, which had been thrilling enough for Sirius to listen with wide eyes and bated breath. The story had made him forget his real problems for a while, and it had been comforting to listen to Graham's low voice and to watch Jake mirroring his own excitement while listening to the story.

He walked into the library later in high spirits, anticipating another spooky story, and Graham greeted him as warmly as usual when he found him in a remote part of the huge library.

"Jake is on his way, too", he informed him, "now, how was class today?"

Sirius told him about his conversation with Snape, without mentioning why Snape despised him so much of course, and Graham listened attentively. He always did that, and he was always calm and composed, he'd never call him names or be upset with him like Aurelius had.

"You should ask Aurelius if he went to see Dumbledore about you, and if he did, you need to thank him", Graham suggested, and Sirius immediately shook his head, "nah- I'm sure he didn't do it anyways, and I don't want to embarrass myself in front of him again."

"But you miss him, don't you?"

Sirius hung his head. Denying it was useless- he did miss Aurelius, especially their little talks at bedtime, the way he had helped him with homework…now all there was in his head was silence. All day, every day.

"Fine- I ask him real quick", Sirius mumbled, concentrating on opening their mental connection.

Hey.

Hey, Sirius.

Sirius swallowed hard, Aurelius' voice was so familiar, and yet so…strange.

Did you see Dumbledore about me?

I did.

He bit his lips, he had really not expected that, not after what had happened.

Why?

To stop him from expelling you.

Yeah, I get that, but why?

Why does it matter?

Aurelius sounded defensive, which made no sense- and why hadn't he told him that he had seen Dumbledore about him? Sirius could feel himself become irritated.

It doesn't. Just trying to say thank you.

That's not necessary.

Graham says it is.

There was a silence.

I am glad to hear you can listen to advice.

It sounded sarcastic, and Sirius balled his hands into fists.

I can- from the right person.

And that's Graham?

Yeah, any problem with that?

Why should I? You can spend your time with whoever you want, Sirius.

Exactly. I gotta go now, Jake just got here and Graham's waiting to start.

Start with what?

Reading us a story.

A story?

Ever heard of that? It can usually be found in a book, and it has pictures in it.

I know what a story is, Sirius.

Then why are you asking?

I am just…what else is that Graham guy doing with you?

That's none of your business.

There was another silence.

Very well- enjoy your story then, Sirius.

I will- certainly more than that stupid stock market advice you read me. Graham would never do that, his stories are awesome.

Good for you.

Yeah, and for Jake- that's Graham's younger brother. He's really lucky.

Sounds like it.

I wish I had a brother like Graham.

Silence.

Sirius waited a little longer, and then he realized that Aurelius had closed their mental connection- quite forcefully actually.

What the hell is wrong with him now?

"Everything okay?"

Sirius blinked, "yeah- just Aurelius being rude", he forced himself to grin, "what's the story about?"

"It is about an expedition- a very dangerous expedition to save a dragon's egg", Graham explained, opening the book, "a few hundred years ago, when…"

Sirius very slowly snuggled closer, looking at the pictures in the book with interest, and Graham read to them in his usual quiet, soft voice. Sirius wished he'd use different voices for the characters, but he never did, and Sirius did not dare to ask for that.

A few days later, Sirius was in a bad mood- classes had been dull, with Snape taunting him mercilessly, and he had not slept well, Remus had ignored him again, and he felt like doing something…something bad. Something naughty.

Jake had practice today again, and he was going to go watch him with Dennis and Nigel. Graham had promised to come by later, too. Even though practice was fun to watch, Sirius still felt restless- and when Graham eventually came, he could not stop himself from pushing a little.

"You're late", he greeted the older boy in a not very respectful tone, but Graham just smiled, "I had a meeting with the other Prefects, and it went on forever. How are you, Scipius?"

"Fine", Sirius lied, his tone still bordering on rude, and Graham frowned, "let's go walk a little", he suggested, gently taking Sirius by the shoulder, steering him away from Dennis and Nigel.

"Now, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, as I said. Are you deaf?"

Graham stopped walking, "I don't like your tone, Scipius."

"So?"

"Why are you so upset with me?"

It has nothing to do with you.

"I am not. I am fine."

"You are lying to me."

Yeah, so why don't you do something about it?

Sirius longed for some consequences- he had not realized how much he had needed Aurelius' strict rules and his firmness until all of that had stopped.

"Maybe. Does it matter?"

"You are being naughty, Scipius."

Yep- now do something. Do something!

"I know exactly what you need."

A spanking?

"A little bit time to yourself. The fresh air is going to help you calm down. I want you to walk over to the fence there, and then take some deep breaths, okay? And if you are calm again, you can come back."

You are sending me away?

"That's what I do with Jake when he gets overwhelmed- I tell him to go for a walk, and take some deep breaths. It always helps him."

Yeah- but I am not Jake. I am not a good boy like him.

Graham did not seem to notice the distressed look on Sirius' face, "now, do you want to walk a little or do you think you can calm down here with me?"

And that's when he realized that Graham could never be what Aurelius had been- he simply did not understand what Sirius needed, and he was just too…nice.

"I…I can calm down here", Sirius mumbled, giving up, "sorry about that. I was kinda…moody. Classes were difficult."

"Thank you for apologizing and for telling me that- it's always important to be honest about your feelings, Scipius."

"Yeah, I know."

They went back to join Dennis and Nigel to watch Jake, and later, Sirius played Exploding Snap with Jake and a few of his classmates, with Graham watching them, a friendly smile on his face.

He still hung out with Graham and Jake, but the longing in his heart never stopped- but at least Graham's kindness was comforting, and he enjoyed spending time with both of them. Today, they were on the way to the Quidditch field again, not to watch Jake, but to play. Madame Hooch had taken back her punishment for him after he'd done a lot of groveling, and Sirius was looking forward flying around the field with Jake, showing off to Graham.

"I am gonna try flying a looping!", he boasted, "and maybe I can even do a double…", he abruptly stopped talking when he could see someone walking closer towards them in the hallway, someone who was looking distinctly like…

Aurelius. It was Aurelius.

Worst. timing. ever.

Pettigrew had finally come back the next day, and even though Tom despised him for neglecting Squirrel like he had, he needed him- the fact alone that Wormtail was an adult was more than helpful, especially when it came to getting groceries. He had sent Peter away with a list of things they needed, but he had refused to give him any money. Pettigrew clearly had been sly enough to get money for himself in the past, but he still kept quiet about how much he actually had. It really was a shame he was unable to torture it out of him any longer.

Now he was on the way to the local library, planning to study some books about art there. He had found a small library fifteen minutes away from the office he was hiding on his map of London, and since Squirrel had been walked and fed and Peter was still busy getting everything from his list, he took his time in walking there. It was a nice day, even a little warm, and Tom enjoyed the warmth on his face. No one sent him another glance when he walked into the library, which was almost empty- it was ten in the morning on a Tuesday, so no surprise there. The librarian, who looked as old as some of the dusty books she was carrying in her trembling hands, also ignored him, but Tom suspected that she was blind as a bat and simply had not seen him. He found the art section without a problem, and for the next six hours, he had a great time reading himself through books about designs, Old Masters, painting styles, and the perfect light. His head heavy with information and questions, he eventually left the library when his hunger became too gnawing to ignore. Tom went back to their hiding spot, already deciding to go to the library again the next day- it really was too bad he could not take the books home with him.

Pettigrew had gotten them food, and Tom ate hungrily, still thinking about the books he had read. He barely talked to Peter anyways, since the rat animagus rarely had a clever remark to make, but he talked to Squirrel after Pettigrew had left for the night. He spent his time with eating, playing with Squirrel and spending hours at the library until it was finally time to meet Gryffindor again- and to get his magic back. He had not told Wormtail about meeting the Founder at the Retrospective, and of course Peter had not dared to ask how the heist had gone.

Tom made it back to Gryffindor's apartment building right before six, and the doorman, an elderly man with white hair, gave him a polite nod, "are you being expected, young man?"

"Uhm…yeah. I'm…Thomas."

The man immediately brightened, "yes, of course, you are one of Master Gryffindor's boys, aren't you?", he smiled at him warmly, "let me escort you to the elevators."

"Uhm…thanks", Tom stuttered, not really understanding why this guy thought he was Gryffindor's boy.

Probably senile.

The doorman went into the elevator with him, and then they went up in blinding speed, all the way up to the penthouse.

"Enjoy your night, young Master", the old man said, and before Tom could respond, the elevator doors had silently closed, and he was alone. Sighing, he carefully knocked on Gryffindor's door, which opened seconds later.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself, Thomas", Gryffindor sounded as amused as always, stepping to the side, "come on in- I got your suit ready for you."

"Okay", he followed the Founder inside the penthouse, quite amazed again by the view- he could see the lights and traffic of downtown London, which looked so miniature from up here.

I wish I could paint this.

He had walked closer to the huge windows without being able to stop himself, not noticing that Gryffindor was watching him, a small smile on his lips.

"It's a nice view, isn't it?"

"It's…gorgeous. The lights…everything is in motion, and…it's such a stark contrast to the darkness", he was talking without even thinking, "I could watch this all night."

"And I'd let you, baby boy- but we have a dinner to attend and a horcrux to steal", Gryffindor stepped behind him, "come on, time to get dressed- and we need to do something about that hair of yours."

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"It's getting too long, Thomas- already covering half of your ears. No wonder you are such a bad listener."

Tom blushed, "you gonna cut it?"

"I be careful, I promise."

"Don't cut my ears off."

"I'd never do that- I am well aware you still need them", Gryffindor sounded like he was trying not to laugh, "let's go- we need to leave soon, Maynard hates tardiness."

"I should have known it was a scam- you'd never fall for someone like Maynerd."

"Look at that, already using wordplays- you are getting bold, boy. Maybe I should spank you again."

Tom shrugged, following him into the bathroom, "I've had worse than your spanking."

"Hmmm…", Gryffindor murmured, a hint of something in his voice, "I bet you have, Tommy. Ready to get your hair cut now?"

"Isn't there a spell for that, actually?"

"I don't use magic in here."

"Why?"

"Dumbledore has been trying to track me down- he's not too happy about the fact that I know about his horcruxes."

"How do you know he's been tracking you?"

"I have an informant in Hogwarts who told me."

"Who?"

"You are one nosy boy, aren't you? It's Remus Lupin."

"The werewolf?"

"The Professor you mean."

"Okay, so the Professor werewolf?"

Tom yelped when he got a quick swat to his backside for that comment, "no more!"

"Be a good boy then- and hold still now, I am going to cut your hair."

Tom tensed, his heart starting to beat faster when he watched Gryffindor holding up the scissors, "just…don't cut too much", he mumbled, "don't wanna look like a hedgehog after."

Or like Felicity.

"Don't worry- you'll still be looking like the handsome boy you are after I'm done", he winked at him, and then he started to slowly cut the hair above his ears, and Tom was holding absolutely still, staring in the mirror above the sink, watching Gryffindor who was standing behind him carefully cutting his hair. The scene had something very…intimate, and he suddenly felt a lump forming in his throat.

"Are…are you almost done?", he could hear his voice cracking, "we're gonna be late."

"Shhh…stop squirming, baby boy. I just need a little more here…and here…there you go, all done."

He blinked, "I look kinda posh."

Gryffindor had to laugh, "that's not a bad thing now, is it?"

"Might actually be helpful for tonight", Tom eyed himself in the mirror critically, "what kind of suit did you get me?"

"Here", Gryffindor handed him a very elegant looking azure blue suit with an azure blue bow tie, "what do you think?"

"I think I am gonna look like a nerd."

"That's what I wanted to hear."

Tom rolled his eyes, "I hope the food's gonna be good", he quickly changed into the suit, "how far away does he live?"

"Not far- we can walk there."

"Does he live in a penthouse, too?"

"No, he lives in an old Victorian style house", Gryffindor patiently answered, "most of his art work is on the ground floor- but the most expensive works are kept in his bedroom."

"So, you've seen his bedroom then?"

"Do you want a spanking, boy?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?"

He got another smack for that comment, and then Gryffindor led him out of the bathroom, "now, remember what we talked about- you need to distract him long enough for me to go upstairs and find the horcrux. Engage him in some discussion, maybe contradict something he'd said to get him arguing- the more passionate he gets about the topic, the higher the chance he won't notice me gone. Also, you are supposed to be Aurelius- so don't forget to respond to his name."

"That's gonna be the hardest part", Tom had to snort, "but I'll try. I really want my magic back, you know."

"Giving you your magic back does not mean you will get a wand, Thomas", Gryffindor told him mildly, opening the door, "the Ministry is going to arrest you as soon as you cast any spell."

"So? They arrest me, and then they have to let me go again- I am a child, remember?"

"It's hard to forget, believe me", he sounded sarcastic, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice, "you are the strangest fourteen year old I have ever met, Thomas."

"Is that a bad thing?"

He had to laugh, "no, it is not", he said after a short pause, "let's go now."

They had stepped into the elevator, and seconds later, they were already at the ground level again, and then they walked out into the fresh October air, the sky darkening above them. They did not say much during the short walk to Maynard's house, and when they entered the front yard, Gryffindor shot him another glance.

"Ready to be my good boy?"

"For one night."

We'll see about that, Thomas.

And then Gryffindor smiled, ringing the doorbell.

yep...next chap will be all about their visit to Maynard, along with plenty Godric/ Tom fluff and H/C! :)

I'd love some feedback from you all! :) Thank you so much!

xoxo,

Antonie :)