Sirius boarded the train his fifth year with his eyes trained on the ground and his signature smirk and swagger nowhere to be seen. The rest of the Marauders exchanged a look as they claimed a train car and he settled by the window.
"Padfoot." James nudged him gently and no one missed the way he flinched away. "Is everything alright?" Sirius gave a shaky laugh.
"Of course Prongs." Remus pursed his lips.
"You don't seem alright, Pads."
"I am." They glanced at each other but let the subject drop.
- - -
The next three days were filled with worried glances and shared looks. The fourth day Sirius got a letter at breakfast that sent him fleeing out of the dining hall. The three boys glanced at each other and were silent for a three count before Remus spoke.
"What do you think that was about?" James stared after him with a worried look.
"Not sure." There was silence for a few more moments before Remus stood.
"Tell Mcgonagle I'm going to be late for class." He strode off after Sirius ignoring Peter's protests that it's the fourth day of term and he can't already be late. As he headed to the dorm his mind raced trying to think of what could have been in the letter.
When he got to the boys dormitory and silently opened the door a soft crying caught his attention and he froze. Sirius didn't cry. He never cried. He shut the door behind them and at the soft click the crying abruptly stopped. The curtain of Sirius's bed was pushed back.
"Oh hey Moony." His eyes were red rimmed and puffy but he was clearly trying to put on a poker face. "Is everything alright?" Remus sat next to him and went to wrap a comforting arm around him but Sirius flinched and he dropped his hands into his lap instead where Sirius could clearly see them.
"I dunno Pads. Is everything alright?" Sirius gave an airy, but all to false sounding, laugh.
"Of course." Remus didn't believe him for a second.
"You know you can tell me anything right? And that I'll always be there for you?" There was silence for several long minutes before a choked noise broke it. Remus looked over in alarm as Sirius threw himself into his arms and started sobbing. He was surprised but wrapped his arms around Sirius and murmured quiet comfort. "Hey, hey it'll be alright.” Sirius shook his head vehemently.
“It’s not!” He looked up at Remus with tears in his eyes. “Nothing's okay!”
“Hey, hey. Can you take a deep breath and tell me what's going on?” Sirius sniffled and pressed his face into Remus’s shoulder, taking several breaths before speaking again.
“My… my parents, they want me to get married. I can't, I won't. And… and I'm trying to convince Reggie to leave with me but he's too scared and I can't leave them and-” He started hyperventilating again and Remus pulled him fully onto his lap.
“Hey, hey. Remember you need to breathe. We can figure it out.” He started rubbing Sirius’s back. “I’m here to help, so is James and Peter. Hell half of Gryffindor tower would help. You’re not getting married.” Sirius shook his head, tears streaking down his cheeks.
“You don’t understand! They’ll… they’ll kill me.” He got very quiet. “They almost did.” Remus stiffened for a moment and stared down and the boy on his lap, physically trembling in fear.
“Siri…” He hesitated. “Do you… do you want to talk about that?” Sirius shrugged slightly.
“Don't remember that much. Just that I shouted at them that I wouldn't marry the girl. Woke up in Regulus's room the next day. Apparently my heart stopped beating three times. I don't think I've ever seen him cry so hard.” Remus was silent for a long while, trying to come up with something to say. Finally he spoke, voice shaking slightly in anger.
“You're not going back.” Before he could protest Remus continued. “And neither is Regulus. We can keep both of you safe. James is always telling you that his mum wouldn't mind having you over.” Sirius shook his head miserably.
“That's a few days over the holidays. That's a whole lot different then hiding two Black children. Especially a betrothed heir.” He practically spat the last sentence. Remus hummed slightly.
“Knowing that you're being forced into a marriage and abused to the point where you litterally almost died is a ‘whole lot different.’ You're not going back. I'm not going to let you and that's final.” Sirius pursed his lips but at the determined look on his face nodded slightly.
“Okay.” Remus sighed in relief.
“Good. I can ask James to owl his mum. I can go with you to talk to Regulus too.” Sirius hesitated.
“Can you… not tell James about me… you know.” Remus frowned slightly.
“He's not going to care.” Sirius raised his eyebrows a fraction. “Well he is but not like that. He's not going to blame you or anything.” He let out a tired sigh and laid his head on Remus’s shoulder.
“I know it's just… Regulus treated me like glass the last bit of summer and I hate being… treated like I'm fragile. I'm not.” Remus shook his head.
“You definitely aren't. He's just worried.” Sirius nodded.
“I know.” There was silence for several moments before Sirius spoke again. “You're missing your classes.” Remus nodded.
“I am. You're more important though.” Sirius’s cheeks tinted pink.
“I can go to class too.” Remus looked disapproving and Sirius gave him a look. “Remember, I'm not glass Moons.” Sighing he relented.
“Alright.” Sirius slid of his lap and stood.
“However, I think I'll need you to hold my hand and maybe snog me in a closet in between classes for emotional support. You know I've been through intense trauma.” He had a perfectly straight and innocent expression on his face and Remus couldn't help laughing.
“Of course you will.”