Prologue
The stars gleamed, catching the eyes of dark haired boy, who sat on the windowsill of his dark room. The light tortured his eyes, and he tried everything not to let his tears; he didn’t want to disappoint his mother. He could not let any sound that could suggest his weakness. Grief snatched his heart, but it quickly altered into burning rage.
His brother betrayed him, he was bloody traitor and coward. He chose running away than staying with him. He chose the bloody James Potter as always. He chose his friend over his younger brother. He chose that blood traitors and became one of them. He felt like someone punched him in his stomach. He was always in the shadow of the golden Gryffindor boy. His brother didn’t even see his achievements because everything was always about what James Potter achieved. He couldn’t compete with golden boy and it was the worst feeling that the boy could feel. Jealousy. He was always the best one in everything, until James bloody Potter showed up in his brothers life. All he could ever hear is how great and funny James was, and how they desired to be like brothers to each other. Always everything was about freaking James Potter; even in the Slytherin common room, everyone talked about golden boy and his brother.
His destructive thoughts were disturbed by the smell of burnt material; He quickly headed downstairs to see what is happening. He was praying that it is not what he thinks it is. As he entered the living room, he saw his mother standing next to the family tree. His father was sitting, on the black couch, looking down at his shoes, quizzing the glass full of fire whiskey. The atmosphere in the house was so tensed, that even house elf run away, not doing his duties.
`Oh, you are here, Regulus.’ Said his mother in cold voice, moving into his direction. `You are my only son now, the last heir to the Noble house of Black’s, do not let us down, son.’
Her bitter gaze made him shiver, as soon as the realisation came to his mind. Sirius run away, and he stayed. He paid for his freedom, and now he can’t let his parents down. Before answering he looked at the Sirius’ picture on the family tree, his heart stopped. It was burned which meant that Sirius was no longer part of family, they disinherited him.
The sound of frigid and emotionless voice cut the silence in the room as the young boy lifted his chin up, and fixed his hunched posture.
`Of course, mother. I won’t let you down.’ Triumphant grimace adorned her face.
*
Meanwhile in the Godric’s hollow the golden boy was reading the book called `Diune’, which he borrowed from Remus. His eyes were closing but the loud knock on the front door, woke him up. It was around eleven p.m and he had no clue who could be at his doorstep at this time. His mother was showering and his father was in his office which left him the only person who could open the doors for their guest.
His heart stopped when he saw his best friend covered in his blood without shoes, crying. He never saw Sirius crying. And he never saw him covered in that amount of blood, even after fights.
Fear. That’s what he boy felt.
`James I am so sorry. It’s late and I am disturbing you.’ His voice broke. `But I don’t have anywhere to go and I couldn’t stay there. Not with them.’ James’ heart broke into pieces after seeing his friend in this condition. He couldn’t imagine who could hurt a kid like that. He didn’t even pack things. He run away with the hurry, after they tortured him.
`Sirius don’t worry. Come in, I am gonna get my parents, sit here.’ He said but his friend wasn’t able to go there by himself. James was glad that he had strength to carry his friend. Thanks to everyday trainings. As he sat him down, Sirius let a loud groan signalising the torment.
`James, it hurts.’ Exclaimed black haired boy.
`I know, please, hold on—. I am going to get my mom.’
As he said he rushed towards stairs, since his mom was in her bedroom. He bursted into her room with tears in his eyes.
`Jamie, honey what happened.’
`Sirius — He is —. Please help’
Her face expression changed quickly as she has heard that Sirius was in her living room. She treated him like a son, she loved him like a son and she couldn’t image something awful happening to him. She swiftly grabbed her wand and rushed to the living room.
The light switched on, and they saw him. His white t-shirt was in blood, on his lips loomed a big cut. The tears mixed with his blood; He looked scared and hurt, and they have never seen Sirius in state like that. They have never seen anyone in state like that.
`Honey, who did that to you?’ Euphemia asked as she walked towards him.
`My— ouch.’ He cried.
`Sirius, I know it hurts, I am going to help you. But firstly I need to know what hurts you. Can I roll up your shirt?’ He didn’t answer, instead he nodded his head. As she rolled his shirt, James’ heart stopped. His bestfriends’ torso was covered in bruises and cuts. He could see at first glance, that his ribs were broken. Rage flushed down his body.
`Fuck.’ He whispered. Despite that Euphemia heard it, she didn’t bother to comment it.
Sirius hissed from the pain. `Mom, help him please.’ Cried James; He couldn’t watch Sirius in pain. He was furious that he can’t take his pain away. He was mad at himself that he let Sirius spent his holidays at his parents. He felt that something could happen to him, but believed that it was just stupid feeling; he didn’t expect to see his best friend, half conscious on his couch in the middle of the night, covered in blood.
`James, I am trying. Sirius, honey I am gonna put pain-relieving charm and then heal your ribs.’ As she said, she took action. She whispered many charms, and James thanked Marlin that his mom was a healer.
`Mom, he can’t go back there. He can’t—. Mom please promise me that he won’t come come back to this awful and cruel place.’ The panic overcame James’ body.
`What is happening here.’ Asked James’ dad as he entered the room. The view of Sirius with bruises, laying on their sofa, draw anger in him. He was not angry at boy but his parents. He knew Orion and Walburga, and he knew that they were able to do it.
`As I can guess, his parent did it right? He can’t and he won’t come back there. Tomorrow I am going to write to Dumbledore, and we are going to adopt you.’ Said firmly Fleamont. `James come with me. We need to make a tea.’
`But—.’
`James, your mother needs peace and you need to calm down. She can’t help him, with you panicking.’ James nodded after minute and went to the kitchen with his father.
`Jamie, I know it hurts to see your best friend in this condition, but you don’t need to worry about him. He is in good hands, and believe me he won’t come back to them. I will make sure of that.’ Said while giving his son a calming tea. He knew that Blacks won’t give Sirius that fast, but he also knew that he won’t let him go back there; Sirius was like a second son to him, and he couldn’t let this happen again. That calmed James a bit. His thoughts circled around the house of Black and how cruel they were. He knew that something was wrong with this family, but also was mad at himself that he couldn’t help his friend and take the pain away. Sirius was like a brother to him and seeing him suffer, made him suffer. A lot of people believed that Sirius and him were made out of the same magic, and James agreed. He loved him more then he loved himself.
`He is asleep.’ Stopped the silence Euphemia. `He will be sleeping in your room, okay James?’
`Yes, of course.’
`Good. Now go to sleep James. Its almost 1 am.’ Then she kissed his forehead and smiled. The sorrow in his mother eyes, didn’t comfort him, but only confirmed the fact that every aspect of this situation was wrong.
`Mom, he will be better right?’
`James, of course. You don’t need to worry. He just needs time and support.’ James nodded and headed upstairs.
He laid next to his best friend. James scanned his face; It was pure, and innocent, he couldn’t understand how his mother could do that to him. It kept him awake, he was thinking about Sirius’ and got more worried. He knew that his mother wouldn’t tell him the truth but Sirius’ life was endanger. He could have died there but somehow he managed to run. After a few hours of thinking the Morpheus took him to his kingdom.
*
Almost the whole holidays past by. Sirius was healing under an careful eye of Euphemia Potter, and James did everything to make this time better for Sirius. They played many board games, even when James didn’t like it, the latino boy also took Sirius to his family in Mexico. Sirius fell in love with Mexico, his friends’ grandma, the feeling was mutual. They visited many monuments and did everything that didn’t involve sports as Sirius needed to heal. The adoption of Sirius Black also went without complications as Fleamont Potter used his method of persuasion. He threaten Orion and Walburga. He said that if they won’t give Sirius, he would put charges to The Wizengamot, for using Crucio on their child. Everyone knew that Blacks were fearless, however this time they knew that Fleamont Potter would win this. Crucio lasted on the body for the long time and they could eventually find it on their son. Orion Black as the head of the house of Black decided to let the Potter’s adopt his son.
Big weight fell of boys chests. Sirius and James were joyful about it and thanked Fleamont every time they saw him. The sunny weather made it easier for everyone to forget about the horrible night. However there was one big catch.
Blacks did not have only one son. There was also a young one. Regulus Black. Everyone was thinking `is he safe’ but no one dared to asked Sirius about him. James knew that they didn’t have a nice relationship. They avoided each other at school and acted like they weren’t family. Potters didn’t know what to do about it, they didn’t know anything about Regulus but they were ready to raise the hand for help. Although no one dared to ask Sirius about the boy, he felt that something is in the air.
`Okay. Is everything okay? I can feel that something is up and I don’t know what.’ Asked Sirius during the last dinner before going to Hogwarts. The tension grew in the room as no one really asked Sirius about his family after that night.
`Well, Sirius. We were just curious about your younger brother. He stayed with them and we are worried, maybe he needs help too.’
Sirius shook his head, and put down the fork. `He doesn’t. I offered it to him, that he can go with me, and he just laughed at me. It was before they tortured me. He was there, and he didn’t help me, I managed to run away because of my cousin Andromeda.— I think. She put some spells on me that stopped the Cruciatus. He is one of them.’ After his response the uncomfortable silence popped up between all of them; They could see that talking about his younger brother was painful to Sirius.
`I am sorry Sirius. Thank you for telling us that.’ Said Euphemia stopping the silence and then kissed Sirius’ and James’ foreheads.` Boys. You are going to Hogwarts tomorrow, you need to rest.’
Sirius and James were getting ready to help Euphemia clean the table, but she didn’t want any help. The black haired boy, was quite surprised with the fact that they have cleaned everything without house-elf. In his house everything was made with the help of these creatures and they were brutally killed after serving to the house of Blacks.
After making sure that Euphemia doesn’t need the help; both of them headed to James’s room. They couldn’t sleep from excitation that is why they talked for almost the whole night. They were laughing but James’ mind was somewhere else. He was thinking about Regulus Black and the reason why the boy didn’t want to run away from this fucked up place. His last thoughts before falling asleep was that he will find out the reason for it.
*
It was first of September. The platform nine and three-quarters was filled with the excited kids, that were happy to return to school. The parents came with their children to say goodbye to their kids as they won’t return to home till Christmas break in December. Everyone was with their parents except one boy. Regulus Black. His parents didn’t bother to go with him, so they have sent the house-elf to do their job. In fact Regulus didn’t want to come with them. He knew that Sirius would be here as well as he knew that their parents reaction would be harsh and he knew that he couldn’t handle their argument.
`You didn’t change much, Black.’ Said the familiar voice behind him. As he turned to the owner of the voice, the grin showed on his face. It was Barty Crouch Jr. His best friend since the first day of school. His and Barty’s relation wasn’t only friend-based relation, but none of them felt something deeper to each other than attraction. Many people could say that there is chemistry between them. However that’s because only Regulus acknowledged the fact that Barty had crush on someone else.
`Well it’s better not to change then have a glow down as you, Crouch.’ Said back Regulus.
`Nice as always.’ Barty laughed and pulled the dark haired boy into the hug. The smile grew on the Regulus’ face when he hugged back his friend, as they were separated for two months. However it didn’t last long; The smile faded rapidly the moment his gaze crossed with the brown-eyed Gryffindor boy. His heart beat increased as he saw the latino boy, and the resentment flushed down his body. He didn’t even know that the view of the latino boy would cause that amount of negative emotions.
`Whoa mate, why is your heartbeat so fast.’ Said Barty as he pulled away from Regulus. `Is it because of me?’ Asked and winked at him, but Regulus’ gaze was still at James Potter who was behind Barty. As Barty followed his gaze, he saw James Potter looking at black haired boy. Barty disliked James from the deepest parts of his heart, he felt the same about Sirius. He believed that they were acting unfair towards Regulus; Every situation that involved the Gryffindor boys, triggered a violence in Barty. He was overprotective and he showed it at every opportunity.
`Reg, why is he looking at you? Does he have a problem? Do you have a problem Potte-!’ Shouted Barty into the direction of James but Regulus stopped him.
Regulus grabbed Barty’s arm. `What the fuck are you doing? Have you lost your freaking mind Crouch?’ The boy reprimanded Barty. He didn’t want to have problems with his brother and his friends the first day of school.
`What? This traitor is looking at you like you did something bad. I won’t let them-.’
Regulus side-eyed him.`Oh chill. He didn’t do anything bad. He was just staring. Come on we need to find Evan and Pandora.’ Black stopped his monologue and as he said they headed to the entry of the train.
A few meters away Sirius saw his brother and his friend. Barty’s reaction to James made him confused, but reaction of Regulus, stopping Barty grew bigger confusion in his body.
`Wow, Prongs you should feel privileged, my cruel and self-centred brother stood in your defence.’ Sirius drawled, giving him nudge on his ribs.
`Yeah.’ James laughed. `Pads by the way, you have never mentioned that Regulus and Barty are that close friends to hug each other in the presence of crowd.’ James pointed out.
`Oh I didn’t? Well it is not hundred percent more like ninety-nine percent truth. But they had something with each other.’ Sirius shrugged his arms.
James blinked with confusion. `In what way do you mean `they had something with each other’? ’
`Prongs, obviously in sexual, in what other way? I don’t know much about their relationship, I just overheard Regulus’ conversation with him through his doors and they seemed to be pretty close, but not in friend way close. I would call them. Wait-. How is this called, I forgot the words.—’ While Sirius was thinking James started to become anxious about the answer. He didn’t even know why. `Oh I remember! It is called friends with benefits. Yeah I would call them friends with benefits.’ Shrugged Sirius. `Any way come on we need to find Remus and Peter.’
This description made James to feel something that he have never felt before. Something squeezed his heart and didn’t want to let it go; His head was attacked by the unwanted pictures of Regulus and Barty; He imagined what could happened when they were alone in their dormitory, during parties or during holidays at Black’s. James thoughts circled around their relationship and he didn’t know what to do as he have never felt like this.
*
`Potter are you okay?You look like you just have seen the ghost.’ Said Lily Evans stopping his thoughts. James was so preoccupied by his brain that he didn’t even encoded when they got into the train and his friends compartment. `We asked about your summer.’
In other conditions James would be so excited that he wouldn’t know what to say. He was eleven years old when he decided that Lily was his love of life, and the unyielding faith kept him going. The boy planned their wedding with every detail; Some people could say that it is obsession, but James denied it. The love he felt for her was unconditional and endless.
`Yeah, sorry I dreamed away.’ James sat down and started to describe his summer holidays. It took a while as James needed to exclude the facts about Sirius being adopted and everything that involved explaining to their friends what happened that one night. He knew that Sirius wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about his situation, so James would rather omit a few facts. `And how was your summer guys?’
`I was in Mexico with my family.’ Marlene announced. `I love Mexico, and the guys there are so hot.’ Dreamed Marlene.
James laughed. `Marlene, you know I am half Mexican.’
`You are Mexican?’ Lily asked surprised. `I mean I knew you are latino but I thought you are from Spain.’
`Excuse me? Because I know Spanish it doesn’t mean that I am Spanish. Common mistake people does. Latino people are form Latin America, to your information. People always mix all of us.’ Huffed James. `Be glad that you didn’t say that in the presence of my grandma. She would kill you.’ That sentence gladden Sirius’ as he met James’ grandma and she was able to hurt someone for that mistake. `Mixing latinos with Spanish people is the biggest sin for her. Just because we speak Spanish it doesn’t we are Spanish. Imagine how you would feel when someone would call you American not Irish, or called Remus British not Welsh or Polish. Or Sirius British not French.Or—’
`Okay Potter we get it you are Mexican not Spanish.’ Stopped amused Lily. `I am sorry for this horrid mistake.’
`It’s okay Evans.’ Smiled James. They have started joking around and talking about the weekend.
James saw this moment as an perfect opportunity to ask the redhead for a date. He was trying to ask the girl for a date since he remembered. `Any way I was thinking about the next weekend and we can go to Hogsmeade. So will you go to Hogsmeade with me? For a —’ James asked with puppy eyes. The silence spread throughout the compartment and their friends waited for Lily’s answer. Everyone knew that the red haired girl didn’t want to date James but everyone hoped that they would end up together.
`Oh no Potter, how many times, I need to tell you no.’ Lily huffed, standing up angry.
James’ expression changed swiftly. `Evans were are you going?’
`Far away from you, Potter.’ She said as she closed the door to the compartment.
James’ mood went down and his smile faded.
`James don’t worry, I mean she is feed up with your questions about dates. But it’s not about you. She has problems at home with her sister mainly. Just try to be friend for her.’
`It is okay Marls.’ Said James fake smiling.
His friend felt sorry for him. They knew he loved her and being turned down again, depressed him. `Who want to play chess?’ Asked Peter for loosing atmosphere.
`Me!’ Shouted Sirius. `You’re done already Pete.’
`And I think I am going to search for Lily, she is probably with Mary.’ Marlene announced and left the compartment.
As she left James looked at the window; the views were changing fast as the train was going rapidly. He was thinking about Lily and he couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to go on a date with him. He was nice to her and he literally ignored every girl just because he loved her. Tired of all of it James let a loud groan.
`Prongs, I know you love her, but I think you need to give her a break with it.’ Said Sirius stopping the silence.
`Exactly, James you need to show her that she can have support in you.’ Remus agreed.
`But I would support her no matter what, and you know that.’
`Yeah but she doesn’t know that James. She thinks you only care about one thing. Show her you can be a good friend. It is fundamental thing in relationships.’
`Yeah you are right. I need to come with the plan that will show her how good friend I can be which will make her fall in love with me!’ The boys exchanged a looks of pity, which went unnoticed to James.
`I don’t think that it is what they meant James.’ Peter said. Before James could start his monologue, Remus asked him about the book he borrowed him at the beginning of summer.
`Yeah well this book was actually good, I didn’t understood much but it was gre-.’ The voices from distance stopped James.
`Oh shut up, or I’m gonna shut you up Crouch.’ Said the man’s voice.
`Try it Black.’ Said Barty with big smile while being next to the compartment. James looked at the direction of the windows, that divided compartment from corridor. He saw Barty’s hands on Regulus’ arms. They were pretty close to each other; The moment when James saw it, Barty decided to open the doors to their compartment.
`Have you seen the old lady? Was she here already? We are starving.’
`No she wasn’t here yet, so go away.’ Spluttered James.
`Whoa, what is up with you Potter.’ Said Barty smiling. He loved messing up with marauders, it was amusing and he treated it like a well entertainment. `Did your red-haired mud— muggle girl turn you down again?’ Barty stopped himself from insulting Lily with the `mudblood’ word, as he didn’t want to start the drama; he just wanted to tease him a little bit.
James stood up with anger facing the Slytherin boy.`Excuse me? Screw you Crouch, you’re the one who has a problem to me and you are in my compartment, so piss of.’
`Oh Potter, don’t worry she is in good hands. She is probably with Snape right now.’ He laughed.` How does jealousy feel Potter, hm?’
The marauders reaction was fast, Remus closed the book, he was reading, Sirius clinched his fists and Peter balled up, scared of Sirius’ reaction. The black haired boy was aggressive when it came to protecting his friends, especially when it was standing up to Slytherins; He knew the boys since childhood and they knew that annoying Sirius was irresponsible.
`Crouch go the fuck away or—.’ Started Sirius.
Barty stood relaxed, facing the boys. His arrogant posture, irritated James. `Or what Black? Are you threatening me?’
`Barty come on, don’t —.’ Said Regulus, grabbing Barty’s arm, pulling him into the direction of corridor.
`Don’t what? You can’t use Crucio here so, you are backing away? Right Black?’ James snapped. The reaction of younger Black was quick. He let Barty’ arm, and straighten his back; he slowly turned to James, his eyes were cold as ice. The view of his eyes made James shiver; latino boy have never felt someone looking at him that way.
`Oh how dare you Potter.’ Regulus hissed while coming closer to James, facing him. `You don’t know a fuck about me.’ Then he turned around and went out of the compartment taking Barty with himself.
`James, what is wrong with you today.’ Asked Remus. `You seem pretty angry. Is everything okay?’
Sirius quickly defended James. `Moony don’t blame him, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you but, I run away from home. Um — after they treated me with Crucio. That is why James is so angry at Regulus. He didn’t help me that night’
Remus crinkled his brows and narrowed his eyes. `What the fuck, why didn’t you tell me.’Asked Remus angrily, throwing his hands up. `Wow, did you plan to tell me? If James didn’t blow off steam on Regulus, I wouldn’t find out? Where are you living now?’
`At James’. His parents adopted me.’ Sirius scratched his neck. `Sorry. Don’t be mad at me.’
`Well. Wow. Cool.’ Said Remus looking away from Sirius. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. `I am happy that you’re safe now, but why didn’t you tell me, you stupid fuck.’ Said smirking at Sirius, gave him a nudge on the ribs and then hugged him; after seconds James and Peter joined to the hug.
*
As the students arrived to the Hogwarts they headed to the great hall, James was thinking about the young boy. He was thinking that maybe he was too mean to him and that he should stop himself. He felt guilty as he have never showed his anger to anyone, he was scared that he showed too much and he shouldn’t because he should be the supporting friend. Not the one who needs support.
After principal’s talk his eyes rushed into the direction of Slytherins’ table, and he spotted Regulus. He looked at him and analysed his behaviour around the Slytherins. He saw that Black didn’t put anything on his plate, and that Barty tried to feed him, but the young boy was steely. He thought that he may have been cause of his lack of appetite.
He himself wasn’t hungry, because of the situation in train.
`Earth to prongs, are you okay?’ Asked Remus worryingly looking at him.
`Yeah Sorry, I am just tired, I think I should go to dorm.’ Said and without answer he headed to the Gryffindor dorm.
As he went through the great hall, someone observed him. The young Slytherin was thinking what happened and why James is leaving earlier. A small part of him wanted to go after latino boy, but he knew that James hated him; That thought stopped him.
It was a middle of the night and everyone was asleep. Except James. The emotions controlled him; without thinking much he took his invisibility clock, map and headed to the one place that calmed him. The astronomy tower. However he wasn’t the only one who liked looking at the stars. As James walked into the place he saw the young Slytherin boy that was sitting on the floor with cigarette in his hand.
James’ heartbeat increased and he didn’t know why it occurred. `Aren’t you too young to smoke cigarettes?’ Regulus shrugged as he heard James voice, the grey eyed boy scanned James, and rolled his eyes. `Mind your own business, Potter.’
`Wow. So nice.’
`Mhm.’ Mumbled Regulus under his nose, while standing up.
`Where are you going?’
`Oh you didn’t think I was going to sit here with you.’ Said Regulus while going to the exit. `Well I was actually thinking you will.’
`Then you need to enjoy disappointment.’ And then he disappeared, like a ghost.
And James Potter understood. Regulus was like a wind. Cold and mysterious. He was an unsolved mystery that James wanted to solve.
And he will.