Every Scar Has Its Secrets

"So what's with the green?" Peter asked as they got on the train.

"I don't want to talk about it." Sirius mumbled, looking down at the ground.

Lupin stepped closer to him, putting his arm over Sirius' shoulders. "I'll give you a sweater or something when we get on the train, okay? The back of your shirt is all bloody." Remus said softly, his eyes showed a softness only seen when his gaze landed on Sirius. Sirius nodded.

They got on the train and claimed their compartment. He sat down between Remus's tall frame and the wall as the train started moving. Sirius kept drifting in and out of the conversation, he looked out the window, trying not to show how much pain he was in.

"Black!" Lily yelled, kicking his shin.

"What, Lily?" He responded, sounding snappier than intended.

"We've said your name like four times. Anyways." She scoffed, "how was your summer?"

He rolled his eyes and looked over at Remus. "Can I have that sweater now?" His voice grew small, avoiding Lily entirely.

Remus nodded. "Go find an open room. I'll find you in a minute." He said as he stood up, grabbing his backpack off the top shelf, a small smile grading his lips.

"Thank you." Sirius mumbled as he walked out.

Remus followed him into the room a minute later, handing him a knitted sweater and sweatpants.

"How bad is it?" He asked quietly as Sirius unstuck the shirt from his back.

"Bad." His voice shook. "There was something new that pissed her off almost every day." He looked down, looking at all the bruises that littered his stomach and thighs. Remus stood up and wrapped his hands around his waist, a gesture more loving than Sirius had ever experienced before, resting his forehead against Sirius's.

“Pads, your bleeding” He said quietly, voice cracking as if he had been the one abused that summer. His voice wasn’t pitiful, it was heartbroken.

Sirius nodded. “I know. I tried to wear a set of Regulus’ robes. She got mad.” He mumbled into Lupin's chest, hugging him tighter. He held him as if if he hugged him any loser Remus would slip through his fingers like any other good thing he had.

“She had you under imperio when you got here didn't she? There was no life behind your eyes. I could see it from across the platform” Remus said as he bandaged Sirius’ back. Sirius nodded, tying the sweatpants to make them stay up.

Sirius put on the sweater and they walked back to the room their friends were in. Lily and James weren’t there, Peter and Marlene were playing chess as Mary watched, clearly not understanding the game.

“I thought you lot weren’t gonna come back. You were gone for ages” Peter laughed, not taking his eyes off the board.

“We had to take care of something.” Remus mumbled sleepily as he sat down closest to the window. Sirius sat next to him and laid his head on his shoulder.

He woke up to James slamming the door open. “Awe look at the lovebirds being all cute.” He said obnoxiously, slapping Sirius on the back. He stumbled forward, clenching his teeth to prevent showing his pain.

“We aren’t together James” Sirius said, His more formal french accent being more noticeable, a consequence from the summer. Remus grabbed Sirius’ arm.

“Black, you’re french?” Lily asked, looking at him confused.

Sirius shook his head. “I'm from London, I know French though. Mother made us learn when we were younger.” He leaned back into Remus.

“Wait actually? Say something.” She said excitedly. He rolled his eyes and looked at Remus.

“Que voulez-vous que je dise?” He smiled.

“What does that mean?” She sat down across from him.

“The fuck do you want me to say?” Sirius and Remus said at the same time.

“Lupin, you know French too?” James said.

“Only a little. Pads taught me some in 3rd year.” He laughed, bumping his shoulder against Sirius, smiling warmly

Sirius zoned out for the rest of the train ride. He liked how calm he felt. He could fully relax for the first time in months.

“Pads, I saw your brother walking around all scared. What's that about?” James asked, sitting down next to him.

“I dunno.” Sirius shrugged, not looking away from the window.

Regulus knocked on their door before sliding it open. “Sirius, Bella and Cissa told me to find you.” He said quietly, not moving past the door.

“Why?” Sirius asked, rolling his eyes.

“Ils ont dit qu'ils avaient besoin de vous parler. Quelque chose à propos de prendre la marque.” Regulus mumbled, looking behind him and fixing his posture.

“No.” Sirius said, crossing his legs and sinking down into the bench.

“Please Sirius. They're scaring me. Threatening to tell mother about you and him. Please.”

Sirius shook his head again. “They can tell her. I don't give a shit.” He looked at Regulus, who was clearly trying not to cry.

“Reggie! Did you find him yet!” Bellatrix shrieked from around the corner.

Narcissa laughed loudly, elbowing her as they stood in the doorway.

“Piss off, both of you.” Sirius said coldly, not looking away from Regulus.

“Reggie, did your mother teach you nothing!” Bellatrix yelled. “You're not supposed to cry. You're a boy. Boys don't cry, right Sirius?” She laughed, hitting the back of Regulus’ head.

Sirius rolled his eyes and flicked his wand, closing and locking the door, focusing back on outside.

“Padfoot what the hell is going on?” James half yelled, making Sirius flinch slightly.

“Nothing. It was bad this year. It’s fine.” He mumbled, looking down at the floor

“She really fucked y'all up this year eh?” Remus whispered. Sirius nodded, leaning into him more.

Remus took a deep breath. “One to ten” He said sternly, placing his hand softly on Sirius’ knee. “What?” James asked, looking at them confused. “Not you fuckface. Sirius. One to ten.” Remus was looking at him now, forcing him to hold eye contact.

“Like a three” Sirius said, looking away. Lupin grabbed his chin and forced him into eye contact again.

“Fucking liar. I can see it in your eyes. I'm not fucking stupid you know.” Remus snarled, worried

Sirius flinched and pushed away his hand, looking down at the seat in between them.

“Seven” he whimpered

“I'll go find poppy.” His tone became angry, why did Sirius lie like that? Remus is his friend, God damn it.

“Moony, wait. She can’t know. Mother will kill me.” Sirius pleaded

“I'll tell her you have a migraine, she won't question it, just stay here and don't put pressure on it.” Remus reassured and reasoned

Remus left the room, leaving Sirius alone with the rest of their friends staring at him. The silence was thick and uncomfortable. Unsettling.