An Odd Morning
Someone was screaming, though he didn’t know who. Loud, painful, agonising wails that wouldn’t leave his ears no matter how hard he tried. He wanted to tell them to shut the hell up, until he realised they were coming out of his own mouth.
Sirius hated it all, hated his mother, hated the pain, hated how pathetic he felt as she held so much power over him, and hated especially that his own mother took joy out of torturing him.
The screaming stopped, yet it was shortly replaced with a cold peircing voice.
“Don’t you ever tarnish the Black name again do you hear me?”
Sirius was too weak to respond, but what did it matter anyway. She was sure to do the exact same thing again for stupid reason wether he responded or not.
“I said, do you hear me!” Walburgas harsh voice echoed in Sirius’ ear as her palm gripped far too tightly around his chin.
“Yes, mother.” Sirius croaked in response.
He watched hazily as her black boots drifted further and further away, making a far too loud sound against the hollow wooden floor.
“Sirius, are you alright? If you stay out of trouble then this would never happen.” Regulus was next to him now, trying to help him up as he almost scolded him for Walburgas actions.
“I don’t need another lecture from you Regulus, I can handle her on my own.” Sirius retaliated as he tried to keep his balance standing up. Merlin, everything hurt. He started to walk towards the stairs however nearly tripped, but was aided but Regulus.
“I’m just trying to look out for you, that’s all.” Regulus said sullen as ever.
Together Sirius and Regulus walked down the hallway, making sure to be extra quiet as they passed their father’s study. Sirius had already put up with enough nonsense for one day, he didn’t need his father to come out and yell at them for no good reason.
Their rooms were on opposite sides of the hallway, right as Sirius was about to close his door Regulus said “Hey Sirius, tomorrow I want to show you one of my new paintings.”
“Of course, first thing when I wake up, wait for me yeah?” Regulus nodded. Regulus was always very shy about his paintings, Sirius knew this and was very honoured to be one of the very few people that knew about his hidden talent. Though of course their parents hadn’t the slightest idea about it and would call it utterly unmasculine for Regulus to be doing such a thing. But who are they to judge, and besides they’ll never find out.
Sirius collapsed into his bed, ready for a nice sleep where he didn’t feel any pain, and there were no worries about the day ahead, at least not yet. Oh how he wished the winter break would be over so he could finally see his friends again and feel safe, only two more sleeps.
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Sirius woke up feeling great. Which was weird, usually after the cruciatius curse his body hurt for a whole day afterwards. It could just be numbness Sirius thought, best to take advantage of it while he could. He stepped out of his room and into Regulus’ room, just like he said he would the night prior.
But that’s odd, Regulus wasn’t there. He always waited for Sirius to get up before he did. Which must mean that mother or father had called him downstairs already.
He exited his brother's room still feeling rather tired and headed downstairs hoping the sight he saw wouldn’t be too bad when he bumped into someone. Not just someone, his mother.
Oh no, I’m fucked. Here it comes again.
“Sorry,”Sirius hastily said as he took a step back preparing for the worst.
“Not to worry darling, it was only an accident.“ Walburga responded in what would be the kindest tone Sirius had ever heard from her whilst giving him a sweet smile.
WAIT. WHAT?
Walburga Black just called him darling, she just smiled at him, she accepted his apology, she isn’t cursing him. This can’t be right.
“I was just coming to wake you up, I made breakfast, your favourite!” He cautiously looked up at her and noticed how different she seemed. Her hair was out, calmly resting against her back unlike her usual tight bun. She wasn’t wearing her heavy black clothing he’d never seen her out of before but rather, wait was she still in pajamas? And her face was much more soft and welcoming compared to the cold glare she always carried.
A hand reached for Sirius’ face and he flinched away not prepared to struck just yet. But there was no stinging pain in his cheek, rather a warm hand caressing his face.
“Are you alright Sirius? You’re acting odd.” Walburga said with what seemed to be genuine concern.
Ok this had to be some sort of joke, but his mother would never be one to joke, especially not in this sense. Was she under the imperius curse or something? But who would play such a prank on him in this house? And he knew there were always signs of the imperius curse on someone, maybe their eyes looking hollow or a sudden hand twitch. No his mother wasn’t under that spell. What on earth is she playing at?
“Sirius, honey, you look frightened. Are you ok?” Walburga asked, worry filling her face.
“Yes… mother.” Sirius said. Barely audible.
“Mother? What on earth has got you so formal? Come on you know it’s just Mum.”She responded with fake shock filling her face as she guided Sirius toward the stairs.
“Right, sorry mum.” That felt weird. Sirius had never once in his life called that woman “mum”. Though this didn’t even seem to be his life, could it be another world, some other universe? But how would that even work, surely it’s not? Yet it’s the only explanation…
Sirius walked into the dining room where his brother and father were already seated, looking to have a pleasant conversation. Right, so his mother wasn’t the only one that got a personality swap. He surveyed the room and noticed how much warmer it felt, the lighting felt safer, along with the furniture, if that even made sense.
“Ah, good afternoon sleepyhead.” Orion called out to Sirius as he went to take a seat. “Stayed up too late reading or something Sirius?” He asked with a chuckle.
“Yeah, something like that.” Sirius still felt a bit hostile as a pile of pancakes appeared on his plate with as many topping he could think of. Ok so that’s something else that’s wrong. For a start they never ate as a family, except for when they had guests, especially breakfast. And the food wasn’t ever something Sirius liked, (he often thought his mother told the chef to do that on purpose) and there was never this much of it, despite them definitely having more than enough food in the kitchen.
Suddenly regulus started speaking to him, loosing his train of thought.
“Siri, I finally finished that painting last night. I can’t wait to show you!”
Sirius almost spit out the orange juice he was drinking. Did Regulus just call him Siri?!? He hadn’t done that since they were little, since Sirius went to Hogwarts and their relationship basically got ruined. Though that mustn’t of ever happened here. And another thing, Regulus was talking about his paintings, openly, in front of their parents, was he mad?? Sirius casted a worried look to this parents across the table, but they weren’t confused, or angry.
“Oh you must show me too Regulus, I want to see your great work.” Walburga said smiling across to Regulus. Right, Sirius keeps forgetting, this isn’t his normal family, things are different here.
“So I’ll show you after breakfast Siri?” Regulus asked eagerly.
“Of course,” Sirius hesitated for a moment, he didn’t know if this was right “Reggie.” Regulus gave a wide smile. He looked to happy, far happier then Sirius had seen him in years, as he was quit used to the woeful and empty younger brother his cruel parents a formed.