Sirius lay sprawled on the couch in his dimly lit bedroom, a faint frown on his face. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to find a position that would alleviate the persistent ache in his back. The days seemed to drag on, each moment blending into the next with an unending monotony.
"Reg!" Sirius called out, his voice tinged with frustration. He adjusted the pillows around him, hoping for a bit of relief.
Moments later, Regulus appeared in the doorway, his face etched with concern. "What's wrong, Sirius?"
"I'm so bored and restless," Sirius admitted, his tone reflecting his discomfort. "Everything feels so slow. I need to get out of here. Can we go for a walk? It's snowing outside, and I could really use some fresh air."
Regulus raised an eyebrow, glancing out the window where snowflakes drifted gently to the ground. "Are you sure? It's cold out there."
Sirius nodded, his eyes brightening at the thought of a change of scenery. "Yes, I'm sure. The snow always makes everything feel so peaceful. I just need to move around a bit."
Regulus sighed but smiled. "Alright, let's get you bundled up. I'll help you get ready."
He helped Sirius into a warm coat, scarf, and mittens, making sure he was properly insulated against the cold. When they were both ready, Regulus took Sirius's arm, guiding him out into the snowy world outside.
The crisp air greeted them as they walked through the snow-covered grounds. Sirius marveled at the way the snowflakes sparkled in the daylight, his mood lifting with each step. Regulus stayed close by, supporting him as they made their way through the serene winter landscape.
But as they walked further from the house, Sirius suddenly felt the ground beneath him become slicker, the snow crunching less underfoot and more like the icy surface of a frozen lake. He hesitated, his heart skipping a beat as he realized what was happening.
"Reg… the ground—it's freezing over," Sirius said, his voice wavering. He tried to take another step but felt his foot slip slightly, his balance wavering. "I think I hit ice."
Regulus immediately tightened his grip on Sirius's arm. "Don't move, Sirius. Just stay still. I'll get you off of it."
But as Sirius tried to adjust his footing, the slick surface beneath him gave way even more. His heart pounded in his chest, fear gripping him as he realized just how precarious his situation had become.
"Reg, I—I can't move," Sirius stammered, his voice trembling. Tears welled up in his eyes as panic set in. "It feels like I'm going to fall if I take another step. Please, Reg, go get Dad. Hurry!"
As Regulus turned to run for help, Sirius took a tentative step backward to steady himself—but the ground betrayed him. His foot slipped on the ice, and he cried out, "Oh no! I'm falling!" The world seemed to tilt around him as he lost his balance completely.
Sirius crashed to his knees, the impact sending a sharp jolt of pain through his body. "It hurts!" he moaned, tears streaming down his face as the pain and fear overwhelmed him. His hands instinctively cradled his belly, the sudden fall causing cramps to shoot through his abdomen.
Regulus, hearing his brother's cry, skidded to a stop and whipped around, his heart lurching in his chest at the sight of Sirius on the ground. "Sirius!" he yelled, sprinting back to him. "Oh no, are you okay? Don't move!"
But Sirius couldn't help the sobs that escaped him as the pain intensified. The icy ground beneath him only added to his misery, the cold seeping into his knees as the cramps continued to wrack his body. "Reg, please… it hurts so much…"
Regulus's face paled with worry, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Hold on, Sirius. I'm getting Dad. Just hold on."
Regulus bolted for the house, his heart pounding with fear. He burst through the door, calling out frantically, "Dad! Sirius fell—he's hurt, and he's on the ice! Please, hurry!"
Orion, who had been in the living room, immediately dropped what he was doing and rushed outside. The sight of Sirius on the icy ground, crying in pain, made his stomach twist with panic. "Sirius!" he called out, his voice strained with worry. "Don't move, son. I'm coming!"
Sirius whimpered, his whole body trembling from the cold and the pain. "Dad… it hurts… the cramps, they're so bad…"
Orion reached him, his hands trembling as he took in the situation. The ice around Sirius was treacherous, and every movement seemed to cause his son more pain. "Walburga!" Orion shouted, his voice desperate. "Walburga, I need you out here, now!"
Walburga quickly appeared, her face filled with concern as she saw the distress Sirius was in. "Orion, what's going on?" she asked, rushing to them.
"He slipped on the ice, and he's cramping badly," Orion explained, his voice shaky. "We need to get him inside, but I'm afraid he'll fall again if we're not careful."
Walburga's eyes widened as she took in the situation. Without hesitation, she moved to Sirius's other side, wrapping an arm around him to steady him. "Sirius, love, we're going to help you, alright? Just focus on breathing and let us support you."
Sirius nodded weakly, tears still streaming down his face as the pain and fear consumed him. Orion reached out, carefully helping Sirius up, keeping him close to ensure he wouldn't slip again. "We're going to walk slowly, alright, Sirius? One step at a time. I'm right here with you."
With Walburga supporting him on one side and Orion on the other, they began to guide Sirius off the icy patch. Each step was agonizing, the cramps running through Sirius's body with every movement, making him cry out in pain. Orion's heart clenched with every sob that escaped his son's lips, his own fear growing with each step they took.
"Hold him up, Walburga," Orion urged, his voice tense as he kept Sirius close, trying to shield him from further harm. "Don't let him fall."
"I've got him," Walburga replied, her voice steady but her grip tight as she supported Sirius. "Just keep moving, Sirius. We're almost there."
Sirius tried to focus on their words, but the pain was relentless, and the fear of falling made it hard to breathe. Every step felt like a monumental effort, and his sobs grew louder as the cramps continued to tear through him. "Dad, I can't—" Sirius gasped, his voice trembling with pain. "I can't do it, it hurts too much."
"Yes, you can," Orion insisted, though his voice betrayed his own panic. "You're strong, Sirius. We're almost there."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the edge of the ice and stepped onto firmer ground. But Sirius's body was shaking from the effort, and he could barely stand on his own. Without a word, Orion wrapped his arm more securely around Sirius, holding him close as they made their way to the house.
Regulus had the door open, his face pale with worry as he watched them approach. Walburga and Orion guided Sirius inside, the warmth of the house a stark contrast to the icy fear that had gripped them moments ago.
They gently lowered Sirius onto the couch, and he curled up, his body still trembling from the pain and fear. Walburga knelt beside him, brushing his hair away from his tear-streaked face. "You're safe now, Sirius. You're inside, and we're going to take care of you."
Orion, still shaking slightly from the ordeal, sat beside Sirius, keeping him close, his hand resting on his son's shoulder. "You did well, Sirius. We're so proud of you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
But despite being inside, the pain and fear hadn't fully released their grip on Sirius. His body continued to tremble uncontrollably, not just from the cold but from the lingering agony of the cramps that continued to ripple through him. His breath came in shallow, shaky gasps, and he whimpered as another wave of pain hit him. "Dad… it still hurts… so much," he whispered, his voice thick with tears.
Orion leaned closer, rubbing soothing circles on Sirius's back. "I know, Sirius. I know it does," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just try to breathe through it, son. We're right here with you."
Walburga placed a gentle hand on Sirius's arm, her eyes filled with concern. "Sirius, we're going to help you through this. You're not alone."
Sirius squeezed his eyes shut, another tear slipping down his cheek as the pain refused to relent. His whole body was tense, shivering uncontrollably as the cramps continued their relentless assault. Each breath felt like a struggle, his mind clouded with fear and agony.
Orion and Walburga stayed close, offering what comfort they could. Regulus brought over another blanket, carefully tucking it around his brother in an attempt to stop the shivering. The warmth slowly seeped in, but it was clear that the pain was
