The secret of the Black family.
James hated going to parties. The ones that his parents held were the only ones he could bear, everything was a little more free. Titles didn’t matter there, so he was allowed to speak to anyone, including the townsfolk, who always had interesting stories to tell. Like once, he had spoken to a sailor who swore blind that he saw a mermaid one morning, just out by the cove hidden amongst the cliffs that lined the western edge of the kingdom.
But tonight was not one of these parties, it was a party being held at Black Manor, celebrating the engagement of Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy. James’ father, King Fleamont Potter, promised that it would only be a quick visit, an hour at the most, but James knew that was a lie. Once his dad found his friends, they would be there until way past midnight.
They arrived at sundown, “it allows time for the party to get into swing,” his mother had said. Not that any Black parties ever got into swing, it just gave time for everybody to get drunker faster. At least there was one positive, Sirius Black would be at this party. James and Sirius had long since discovered their particular flair for escaping dreadful parties, after their first meeting at the wall’s of Abbot House, where Sirius was already halfway over. Since the moment they helped each other climb over that wall, the two had become fast friends. Unfortunately, Sirius was not permitted to leave Grimmauld Place, a dark and horrible manor up at the top of the most treacherous hill in the kingdom of Godric’s Hollow, unless there was a party. So, alas, the boys only saw each other a select few times a year.
And after the customary bow to the King and Queen (and technically James too considering he was standing right there) upon their arrival, and the resumption of the party, James immediately began his search for his life-long escapist friend. He soon spotted him, causing trouble as always. He was in the midst of sneaking an entire bottle of rum into a bowl of punch, no doubt laid out for the yungens such as himself. James smiled, making his way over to him, but before he reached the table, he saw his friend being grabbed harshly on the arm by his mother, Lady Walburga Black.
Walburga ‘the Wicked Witch’ (as Sirius so kindly called her) Black was an absolutely terrifying woman. She was uncomfortably tall and skinny, with a pale, pinched face and dark hair which was now pinned into a completely stiff bun on top of her head. Sirius had once claimed that she was born scowling, and never stopped, which explained the triangle of wrinkles in the middle of her brow. James was absolutely terrified of her. He couldn’t explain why, he had never seen her do anything particularly evil, although Sirius often flinched whenever she raised a hand to return a hair back to its assigned spot on his head.
Now, the Witch was dragging his beloved escape partner out of the party and into one of the long winding halls. Although usually James was quite good at minding his business, something in his chest told him that he should follow. And so he did, he followed far behind the two, hiding himself in the shadows gifted to him by the few flickering candles on the walls. The silence was painful, interrupted periodically by Sirius’ pained requests for release, which were always responded to with hissing silence. He felt like he had been walking for ten minutes when Walburga finally dragged her son into a better lit room that James knew from one of his and Sirius’ escapes, to be the library. He hurried forward to peek through the gap in the giant mahogany doors, a pit of uneasiness building in his stomach.
“What were you thinking!” Walburga started in a gravelly whisper, “You are attempting to humiliate the Noble House of Black! Intoxication at such a big event? You are a disgrace!”
“I’m sorry-”
“No you are not, otherwise you wouldn’t have done it. I have tried and tried to teach you, you will not disgrace the Black name again!” She threatened loudly, “You leave me no choice. Kreacher!!”
James watched as a hunchbacked man appeared from a door at the back of the room, smiling in an extremely creepy way.
“Sirius needs to be taught a lesson.”
Sirius immediately began to shake off his mother’s grip.
“Mother, please! I swear I’ll do better.” He begged, holding up his hands to her.
“No, Sirius. I will not leave this up to chance.” She scolded, stepping back from her son, “Kreacher, deal with him.”
The hunched man started forward, cracking his knuckles. Sirius didn’t move, bowing his head in resignation. James closed his eyes as Kreacher raised his leather-wrapped fist.
He had to tell his father.
He quickly turned, walking as quietly as he could until he turned the corner and then broke into a sprint. He ran as fast as he could, understanding that the longer he took, the worse it would be for Sirius. The halls seemed even longer on the way back, measured only by the beating of James’ heart.
Eventually he reached the ballroom, bursting back in through the doors. The room fell silent at his appearance, he could only imagine how wild he must look. He ignored them, hurrying over to his father who’s conversation with Lady Bathilda Bagshot had evidently been interrupted upon James’ arrival.
“Really, James!” The king started.
“Dad, I need you to come with me.” James interrupted, trying to use just his eyes to convey ‘this is really serious’, praying his father would understand. Thankfully, he did.
“Excuse me Bathilda,” The king said, “Not to worry everybody! Please, resume!” He announced before following his son into the halls. “What is it, son?”
“It’s Sirius dad, he’s in danger.” James explained everything he had seen, and without a beat, his father started running down the hall. Smiling, thankful that his dad could be trusted to take these things seriously, James followed, sprinting ahead of his father to show him the way. As they got closer to the library, the sounds of Sirius’ yells became louder.
James was beginning to feel desperate. He was running faster than he ever had, the adrenaline pumping through him made all feeling of exhaustion he would usually be feeling disappear. He knew it wasn’t fast enough, God only knows what extents they would go to. James suddenly remembered seeing white scars dragging up Sirius’ neck, that he had blamed on having the pox as a child, but they had seemed so neat. James had the pox before, and it had never left scars like that. He couldn’t remember why he hadn’t questioned it further. Guilt fueled him as he pushed harder, his legs moving so fast he was sure they would fall off once he stopped.
After what felt like an eternity, they turned to corner onto the Library corridor. Sirius’ voice was growing so strained, his shouts turning into wails. He slowed as his father ran ahead, bursting through the doors of the library, causing everyone in the room to freeze. Sirius was half naked, his shirt had been removed and thrown to the front of the fireplace. His back was streaming with blood, long thin strips lining his back. James could hardly see the boy’s skin, the blood was glistening so disgustingly, dripping off of him and onto the wooden floor. He fought a gag, holding his hand to his face, not sure what his face looked like.
“Really, Walburga! I thought you had some bloody dignity. He’s just a boy!” James’ father exclaimed.
“He is my boy, and he has to understand the responsibilities of being a Black!” Walburga protested, “I don’t see how this is any of your business anyways!”
That was a bad move. James was sure that the vein on his fathers head was actually going to explode.
Sirius still hadn’t looked up, his hair covered his face as he stared into the fire, as if he wished it would jump out of the crate and engulf him.
“I am your King! The safety of my citizens is always my business!” Fleamont boomed, stepping closer to Lady Walburga, who had begun to look very small in James’ opinion, “I am taking this boy to safety, and there will be no argument.” He looked fit to strangle her, yet she still attempted to protest.
“You can’t-”
“YES I CAN I AM YOUR KING.” His father’s tone made him shudder. This was true power. “You are lucky you are not being stripped of your title! That I don’t take every last gold coin and send you out to sea!” The King practically screamed. “James!” James was unsure if he was terrified or mesmerised by his father, but either way he seemed to have frozen. “James, son.” The King calmed, turning to face his heir, “Go get your mother, try not to cause too much of a scene.”
“Yes dad.” James said, immediately turning to leave.
“Hold on,” The King called, “Bring Sirius with you.” He turned to face Sirius. Sirius, who had been frozen on the ground during this whole ordeal, immediately stood, wincing as his spine was forced to lengthen, “Boy, go pack your things. You don’t need to worry anymore.”
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Sirius said, stepping forward to follow James. They were about to leave the room when he turned back, his eyes shifting to his mother and then back to the King, “Um, your Majesty? What about my brother?”
Fleamont placed a soft hand on Sirius’ shoulder, “He is as welcome as you.”
Sirius smiled and thanked him, before both boys left, leaving Walburga to face more of the KIng’s wrath. They walked in silence for a moment, before Sirius stopped in front of one of the many statues that lined the halls.
“Uhm, could you give me a moment?” Sirius said, his face flushed in the candle light.
James nodded, knowing better than to question him right now. He understood he might need to be alone right now. He couldn’t imagine how he must be feeling, he couldn’t fathom his parent’s laying a hand on him. Or ordering someone else to. Even further, he couldn’t imagine leaving his parents. He would be devastated, but Sirius seemed the complete opposite. Despite the dim lighting of just the candles up on the walls, Sirius had had a new glow to his face, one that hadn’t been there minutes before in the ballroom. He had seen that glow on people before, on a serf that his mother had released from one of the lord’s rule, when she had learned he was being underfed. That glow was the glow of a free man.
As continued down the hall, he heard a whisper behind him.
“James?” A small voice asked.
He turned as a familiar figure appeared from behind a statue. He was the spitting image of his brother, except for his much shorter hair and slightly skinnier build.
“What’s happening?” Regulus asked, his eyes wide with concern.
James felt a pang in his chest as he looked at the boy. He looked so young, so innocent. He was only 16 for Pete’s sake. Who knew what he had seen, what he had been through? Regulus was nowhere near as rebellious as his brother, but he had had his moments over the years, but truly the worst James had seen was him stealing a glass of champagne last year. He felt so protective of him, he used to follow Sirius and James around at every party, until they started causing trouble, to which Regulus had always protested against, beggin Sirius to stop and just behave. If only James had known.
“Your coming home with me,” he said gently, “You don’t have to worry anymore.”
He couldn’t tell what emotions went through Regulus’ mind, his face had gone still. He stared at James in shock.
“What do you mean?” He asked, his voice trembling slightly.
“My dad said you and Sirius are coming to live with us,” James said, trying to keep his voice positive, “You don’t have to stay with your mum any longer.”
“But…” Regulus whispered, his eyes trained on the floor, “What about mum?”
James was beginning to feel very confused. Why was he concerned about his mum, who had just bet his brother bloody? “What do you mean?”
“What’s gonna happen to her?” Regulus asked, his voice raising slightly.
“Reg.” A voice said from behind them. Sirius stood with his hands by his side, his eyebrows scrunched in a mix of pain and apprehension.
“Sirius,” Regulus exhaled, hurrying towards his brother, “Are you okay? What’s James talking about, he said we’re going to live with him. Is that true? What about mum Sirius? What’s gonna happen?”
“What about mum?” Sirius demanded, “Mum just bet the shit out of me Reggie, I don’t care what happens to her. They should lock her in a bloody dungeon for all I care!”
Regulus looked taken aback. He shook his head, “Sirius, she’s our mother.”
“She’s no mother of mine.” Sirius retorted. “Pack your things. I don’t care how you feel, it’s the kings orders.”
James winced in sympathy as Sirius walked away, dried blood crusting off him. Regulus looked stung, but nodded and followed, leaving James alone in the corridor.
How could Regulus have said that? Why was he so concerned about his mother, and not his battered brother. James was incredibly confused, but he was sure of one thing. His life was about to become a lot more interesting. Everyone knows, drama follows the Black's everywhere.