HOME - wolfstar
Horror was what he could've felt, but the word simply wasn't big enough.
It seemed impossible. Of course, the Blacks disproved that.
It had been three days. Three days of absolute hell. He could barely step out of his room without being harassed by someone.
The Gryffindor lined walls brought some comfort.
His eyes were puffy from crying, a grossly familiar feeling. His nose was raw, his cheeks the color of beets. The day they found out was the day his life ended there. Yet he was still trapped.
That night, something came into his head. Something that could get him out of there once and for all.
“You know, I should leave this place,”
Regulus turned over, "Well, no shit,"
Sirius sat up, "No, seriously. I'm going to leave. For good,"
"For good?" Regulus chuckled, "I'd like to see you try, Sirius. You've already got the whole fucking family against you, I wouldn't add this too. Running away. Oh god, would mother wither!"
He rolled his eyes, "You know, I would talk to you more if you weren't such an ass. Besides, I've already got a plan set,"
"Then do it. I just hope you make it out,"
"Oh, I will,"
Regulus slipped in one last sentence, "We'll see,"
The next day was more of a blur. Night came along quickly, Sirius almost giddy with excitement.
"Tonight's the night," he whispered to himself, "I'll finally get out,"
The excitement was almost too much to handle. Luckily, he didn't have to deal with it for long. Fear set in just as quickly, his hands shaking as he twisted the doorknob open. Slowly, he crept out, the room completely silent.
The portraits were asleep, their bodies rising and falling in an eerie rhythm. Over time, he got down the stairs, the spiraling of the steps making him sick to his stomach. There was only one more doorknob to face.
The question was if he could do it.
Standing there, he glared at the doorknob ahead, it's shiny brass handle mocking him through the reflection. The choice felt more unclear than ever. If he went, what would they do? How about if she went after him? What would he do then? Scenarios bounced around his mind, endless possibilities coming to mind.
"We'll see" His brother's words echoed in his head over and over, getting louder by the second. It was settled. If not for him, then for Regulus. Prove someone could escape this. Now all he could do was run.
•
It had been a week.
He didn't know where he was, or what to do. Floo powder was an option, but he was too wary of the magical world at the moment to risk it.
At least he knew where James lived. Everyone did. 305 Livieve Drive, somewhere in the middle of the country. James' parents were nice people; rich, like Sirius' family, but kind. He'd only met them a few times, but it hadn't taken much to gain their trust. Surely James would be the same.
He knew he would.
Right?
The day crept on, the July heat sweeping over the landscape. Beads of sweat dripped from his head, his clothes grimy. The sun beat down on everything, trees withering on sight, plants sucking up the tiniest drop of water.
It was miserable. But he was fine with that.
He thought about the rest of his friends. Lily, of course, Marlene, Dorcas, Peter, Remus.
Remus.
They'd met in first year on the train, Sirius, a spunky, bright first year, and Remus, his polar opposite.
He remembered the way his legs were crossed, the way his hair fell in his face, against his will. The freckles that covered his face like stardust, and the scars that criss crossed his hands. Those cable-knit sweaters he always wore that looked 100 years old, and the way he crinkled his nose when he laughed.
Realization came upon him. It had to be Remus. It was always going to Remus.
And with that, he headed north.
•
The first thing he saw was a lady. She was sitting on the porch of the house, watching the sun go down with a glass in her hand, rocking back and forth. She was covered in a colorful quilt, her graying her tucked into a bun.
“Hope Lupin,"
He went closer, taking in all the details of the house. Flowers peeked from every crevice, from daises to petunias. The side walls were lined trumpet vines and ivy, the white paint barely visible. It was beautiful.
Hopefully it was home.
Awkwardly, he made his way to the porch, not knowing what to expect. He'd heard about the Lupins, but he hadn't actually met them yet.
“Who am I kidding," he muttered, "They'll think I've escaped from Azkaban,"
“Hello?" He cocked his head and saw Hope, coming towards him
"Who are you?"
He sidestepped, "Nevermind—"
"Sirius?"
The door had opened without him noticing, and there stood the love of his life.
"Hey Moony..." The old nickname stuck to his tongue like glue. It was something familiar. Something he could trust.
"Sirius!"
He heard him clashing down the steps, the wood threatening to break. All he wanted was him. And that's what he got.
He was pulled into a tight embrace, wrapped in the smell of old books and nutmeg. He held onto to him, never wanting to let go.
A choked sob arose. This was it. He was home. Finally.
He became composed again, "I got out,"
The boys became silent, the only sound heard being each other's heartbeats. Remus' hand made his way to Sirius' face, cupping it. He wore a sad smile, a tear falling down, sliding across his cheek.
"Thank fucking God,"
This wasn't going to last forever. They'd go back to Hogwarts eventually. He'd have to see Regulus. Nothing good can last forever.
And he was just fine with that.