“You’ll never be anything in life, you traitorous, mudblood lover.” Walburga Black spat indignantly. The bitterness in her voice stung and began to swell in Sirius’s chest.
He didn’t mean to shout - he really didn’t, as he knew what would happen if he did, though hatred could never be preserved, and to be on the receiving end of years and years of loathing piled into one sitting could only lead to consequences. Pain, pain and more, unbearable pain.
They’d used the cruciatus curse before. When they’d found out he remained in contact with a blood traitor and a half blood, and he barked back at their words of spite towards his friends, the heinous curse was the cruel result - he never dared to mention it to them.
His bony frame was threatening to rupture through his skin, an excruciating sharpness jolted to every inch of his trembling figure at such an alarming rate it seemed to clash with his shivering bones, which responded with a piercing crack. He winced as his father’s wand flicked sharply this time, another agonising jerk of pain coursing into his veins. He felt his body give in to the torment, lightheaded due to the lack of blood that now trickled from the side of his limp head. His eyes slammed shut, waiting for darkness to overtake him when he heard a sudden cackle.
“Can’t even hold up from a little curse.” This was a different voice, familiar, grounding. But not in this case. “How do you think I feel having to snap all my bones every month, clawing away at my own raw flesh? Don’t go telling me you have it worse. Stop being so bloody selfish, Black.”
Sirius felt his heart plummet down to his stomach. Moony.
“Sirius.”
Remus’s voice called again.
“Wake up, it’s alright, I promise.”
Padfoot jerked, shaking violently and he felt his doggish eyes growing wet. His small heart hammered away at his ribcage, threatening to dissipate inside of him. The dog didn’t know what had happened. He wasn’t quite sure. His ears drooped, grabbing onto an emotion. Sadness.
Padfoot suddenly felt a warm set of hands upon his soft fur. Moony, cradling the dog into his warm chest, rubbing behind the ears softly as he murmured into Padfoot’s ear.
“It’s not your fault. You can’t help it, love. It’s okay.”
Padfoot let out a soft whimper, burrowing his head further into the boy’s chest. A seething cold seemed to settle at the bottom of his heart, causing the dog to shiver, letting out quick breaths. Remus only pulled him in closer, running his hand up and down the dog’s small back.