The Sun
Chapter 2:
1960, July 16
Mary sat in her chair, watching the ocean below her move as they flew over to the ship. It felt as though she was traveling back in time, how she expected to see Titanic waiting on the blue water, all her friends and family awaiting her arrival. It was with a dazed disappointment when they landed on the helly pad, that she watched her boxes and bags being offloaded.
Mary was unpacking all her photos and clothes when she saw Mr. Potter standing in the doorway. “You look just like your father,” she said, smiling at Harry’s shocked expression. “Though, you have your mother's eyes,” she said, a slight sadness in her voice. “You knew my parents?” Harry asked conversationally, she saw his curiosity even though he tried to hide it. “Yes, I did. Your mother was my… best friend”, she turned to look at the images she placed down. “That of course meant I knew your dad by extension” looking over at Harry to gauge his reaction. “What were they like?” he asked. Glancing over to him she held his gaze, “Your mother was the smartest woman I knew, she always had an answer even to the silliest of questions. Your father however was trouble, I remember him and his best friend pranking the crew all the time” She smiled at the memory, shaking her head. Harry nodded his head with a smile, “Anything you’d like?” he asked Mary with a tight smile. “Yes, I’d like to see the drawing”.
She saw the drawing before entering the room, it was displayed on a huge screen for all to see. Oh, how Sirius would’ve loved that, whether he knew it or not he ended up famous in the future too. Walking over to the drawing she peered down at it and traced all the rigid angles that made Sirius, Sirius. “How did you know Sirius Black?” Mr Potter asked as he walked beside Mary. “Sirius Black was known by all aboard the ship, even the mice” she giggled. “He made sure of it, wanted everyone to know that Sirius Black wasn’t just a Black” She glanced down at her dress, fiddling with the tassel. “My friend Remus Lupin, also a third-class, knew Sirus. They were inseparable, it was him that drew this image I presume”.
Glancing down at the page she saw the familiar scrawl of the initials, R.J.L. “Sirius Black was your godfather Harry, the minute Lily found out she was pregnant, James immediately declared it”. She watched as Harry looked at the photo with a new sort of recognition.
It was after looking at the image that Mary walked over to the monitors displaying recordings of the ship below waters. She recognized the hallways and the familiar patterns on the wood. It was then that she got a flashback, her and Lily running down the first class halls laughing with joy as the crew chased them, James and Sirius in front of them. Stepping back with a gasp she covered her mouth with her hands. Tears welled in her eyes, her chest felt tight, and her throat sore, a broken sob left her mouth without permission as she stared at the screen. “Do you want to take a break?” Hermione asked, she shook her head and glanced at the group surrounding her. “It’s been 36 years…” she was then interrupted by Harry, “Tell us what you can remember, no rush,” he said, placing the recording device between them. She pointedly looked at him, “Do you want to hear this or not Mr. Potter?” raising a condescending brow at him. “It’s been 36 years and I still remember the smell of fresh paint as you walked in…”.
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Regulus watched the chaotic crowd outside their automobile window, his brother to his left and mother in front of them. His brother was fidgeting his hands continuously while avoiding the glare of their mother. “Stop that right this instant Sirius!, sit. still., we are nearly there” Her sharp gaze turned outside the window then, a sneer pulled at her lips. “All these barbaric people everywhere, I can’t stand the thought of even being on the same ship as them never mind standing near them now. Her black elegant dress was tight against her corset, the pale bony structure of her collarbone made her look even more menacing, and the sharp cheekbones and narrowed eyes didn’t help the persona of Walburga Black. “Regulus, be e dear and fetch the valot,” she said in a sickly sweet tone, “I need to have a word with your brother”, He chanced a look at Sirius, trying to gauge his reaction, he saw only a blank mask.
He turned to step out of the automobile, closed the door, and nervously glanced around for their valot, he was standing near the baggage, organizing transport for them to the ship. Regulus wasn’t exactly sure what he was meant to be telling the valot, he realized with a start he hadn’t asked his mother. Looking around he stopped once he saw the view of the ship, it was unlike anything he as seen before. Huge and luxurious wasn’t even comparable.
Turning back toward the automobile he saw his brother step out with a grimace, his foot seemed to be giving him trouble, he walked over to his brother. A mask of indifference on his face, he can’t let his mother see his concern. “Do you need help?” he asked his brother quietly as to avoid their mother. “I’m Fine” Sirius Spat, walking away. “Did you get the valot Regulus?” his mother's sharp voice snapped in his direction. “No Mother, it seems they are busy taking care of our baggage” he looked up at his mother, hoping he didn’t mess up too severely. Walburga grabbed at Regulus' arm, nails digging into his skin through the suit, “You insolent child, you can’t even do the simplest task” She then shoved him away harshly, he glanced around quickly as to make sure no one saw anything, it seemed others where to busy to have seen.
Walking up to the ship's door was like torture, with each step he felt his lungs squeeze. On the outside he looked like any proper gentleman would, on the inside, he was screaming. This was a slave ship, taking him away to be married off to the first girl that set their eyes on him, the loveless marriage like his parents was what awaited. He started to retreat to the back of his mind, letting instinct drive him as he shook and greeted each high class.
It was then that they saw the Potters, mother hated them. “New money” was spat almost always in their direction. Regulus felt as though his entire world shifted on the axis as James came up to his parents, everyone knew that Euphemia and Fleamont Poter preferred to be called Effie and Monty their smiles bright, but James was something else entirely. Regulus watched as he smiled so bright it rivaled the sun, it felt as though you were being embraced in a warm hug each time it was directed towards you. Not that Regulus would know, he has never been on the receiving end of one of those, but his Brother has and like most things. Sirius finds the best in everyone, especially James Potter. He felt his mother's hand wrap tightly around his wrist as he was tugged towards the elevator, he watched as his brother smiled and jumped into the Potter's arms. His slow descent away from the Potters felt decaying, he wanted a greeting like that too. The last time someone acted with so much enthusiasm towards him was when his brother was little and he would return home from school. His eyes drifted to James again, to his surprise the last minute before he went down completely, James’s eyes turned to him.