Sirius
I had lost count of how many times I had been curled up in a ball in my room crying over the next month. Teddy was just down the hallway and every single night he would scream and scream until he went quiet, either probably falling asleep or because Remus had heard him. One night Remus disappeared and one of the maids watched him for the following few days.
I saw the servants more during that month. I snuck to and from the kitchen to make Remus his meals, even to make something for Teddy. The servants kept me up to date on where the Duke and his son were at all times, so I could avoid them. After the first week I had packed a bag, planning to run away from the castle. However a maid caught me slipping out and told me I wasn’t allowed to run away, the King had set that up before I had moved in.
After that, I had spent almost all of my days in my corner in the library or my bedroom when I wasn’t making food for the Duke, out of sight out of mind. And it worked, for that first month.
“Sirius.” Remus called out to me as I was busy reorganizing my room one afternoon. I paused and dropped everything I was holding to bow to the Duke. He looked angry to see me, I was confused because he had searched me out.
“Yes, your grace?” I kept my head low, the floor was interesting, and I wanted to remain focused on it. I saw his shoes move into my view and I started to beg that he wouldn’t hit or curse me.
“Have you been in my office?” It was lifeless and cold and I felt sick hearing it. I looked up to meet his gaze like my parents had taught me and saw nothing but anger.
“To drop off your breakfast, yes. Other than that, no, I haven’t been in your office. Is something wrong, your grace?” I could see his jaw clench and I took a step away from him.
“Some important documents about a ball I will be hosting are missing. You swear you have nothing to do with that? This ball is in five months. I need those documents.” He crossed his arms and I could tell he was very angry about the situation.
“We are hosting a ball?” I bit my tongue remembering where I was placed next to him. He seemed to grow angry again before taking a deep breath.
“I am hosting a ball, you are going to be out of sight. Now, as for my office. I don’t want you delivering food anymore. Not for any meal, or I’ll make sure that the next time I see your brother I have you sent to his castle. Goodnight Sirius.” He turned and left my room.
I felt my heart break a little more as I watched him leave the bedroom. I wanted to cling to something just for a little bit. I reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Wait, um, can I still use the library?” I quickly recoiled as I thought of my parents and what they had done to me for speaking out of line. He froze as if I had burned him with my touch.
“You still live here, the rest of the castle that has not been forbidden is yours to use and explore. As long as neither Teddy or I see you.” With that he turned and stormed out of my room.
I curled up on the foot of the bed and began to wonder what I could do to fix it with the Duke. I thought we had been becoming friends, but I guessed not. I felt myself grow sick, I didn’t want to stay in that room anymore. I grabbed my bag and started the journey out of the room and down the halls.
I think it was very early morning when I found an abandoned empty room at the complete opposite end of the castle. It was small, around the size of my old bedroom, and everything was covered in white sheets, yellowed with age and dust.
I quickly removed all the sheets and started to clean up the room a bit before I passed out for a good remainder of the day. I hurt greatly when I did finally wake up. The rough bed below me brought pain I was used to, but only as a distant memory. As I looked out the small window I could see the sun setting behind the distant mountains. I decided it was best to spend the rest of the night in that room, unable to bring myself to leave it. I needed to just, “disappear, forever.”