Safe
They apparated into James’ front garden, and Kreacher left as suddenly as they’d arrived. Lights flicked on in several of the massive windows, and Sirius was suddenly very grateful that apparition was unnecessarily loud. He sank to the ground, curling around his bag, and waited to die or be saved.
When he next woke up, the world was equally blurry but a good deal more comfortable. He was lying on something soft and, although he was somewhat aware that his body still hurt, there was a lot less sharp pain. He blinked a few times before James’ face came into view, staring down at him.
“Merlin, you’re awake!” James cheered, much too close to Sirius’ ears. “Mum! He’s awake!” Sirius groaned at the excessive volume.
Then Sirius either must have fallen back asleep or Mrs Potter must have apparated in her own home, because she was suddenly right there and peering down at him with an expression identical to James’. He wished they’d stop looking so concerned, it was freaking him out a bit.
“Hush James, you’ll scare him. How’re you feeling, love?”
He wasn’t sure how he was feeling completely. Tired, certainly, and fucking confused.
“Why am I here?” He managed to mumble. His throat was so dry.
James was the one to answer, despite his mum shushing him again. “No idea, mate. We found you in the garden all bleeding and naked and stuff. We think you apparated.”
Right. Sirius remembered the ‘cracks’ of apparating, and he was pretty sure Kreacher had been with him. The image of Regulus kneeling over him came into his mind, and he remembered the smell of smoke and the screeching. Regulus had been telling him to leave, for some reason. ‘He’s going to kill you.’ Reg had said, and Sirius remembered believing him. He could still feel the panic he’d had at the certainty of death. Why was he alive? Where were his parents?
Mrs. Potter ran her hand gently over his forehead. “It’s ok dear. You’re safe now. You’re safe.” She murmured softly. Sirius couldn’t help but trust her; being around her felt so incredibly safe. She wouldn’t let anyone kill him.
Still, he had to be sure. “They aren’t here?”
“It’s just us.” James reassured him. James was so wonderfully reliable.
Sirius was waking up properly by then, and along with his clearing mind came waves of relief. His blood wasn’t on fire, he wasn’t on fire, and Kreacher had miraculously willingly brought him to the haven that was Potter Manor. Everything was going to be ok.
“Is the house protected?” He asked.
“Of course love. You won’t be found here. Does anywhere still hurt badly?”
He laughed a little. Everything still bloody hurt, but it was more like being sore than anything else. It was the feeling of healing, and he loved it. He shook his head as best he could.
“That’s wonderful. I don’t think you were fully awake, but you managed to swallow a few potions when we first brought you in. You had some cuts, all easily healable, and a nasty burn that I’ve put some salve on. You’ll be a little achy for a few days, but we’ll have you right back to normal in no time.”
Sirius thought about the dull pain that had driven him to insanity all summer along with the pesky fevers and the confusion. He smiled at Mrs. Potter as brightly as he could. “This is already better than normal.”
She just frowned at him. “Well, we’ll have to change that won’t we? Are you hungry dear, or thirsty? Lunch is just ready if you want some brought up.”
“Yes please, if you have extra.” Sirius immediately agreed, almost crying at the idea of lunch with the Potters. It sounded so simple and cozy, not to mention the fact that he hadn’t eaten the day before and was ravenous. He wiped his eyes on his arm, and the other two were kind enough to not mention it.
Mrs. Potter gave him a last small pat and left Sirius and James alone.
“Do you remember what happened? You really looked rough, Pads.” James asked, sitting on the end of the bed as Sirius struggled to sit up.
“I think I’m finally free.” Sirius responded and hoped to goodness that he really was. His mother had let him go.
“Forever?”
He grinned at James. “Forever. I got myself disowned.”
“Shit, Sirius. What did you do?”
“As much as I could. They weren’t very happy, and I don’t think my father wanted me to get away, but he burned me off the tree and my mother let me leave.”
“Did they do all this to you?” James looked like he was ready to hex someone regardless of the answer.
Sirius knew he shouldn’t feel as sad as he did thinking about it. His parents were terrible, and it wasn’t like he wanted them either. “I needed them to really hate me.”
Sirius was saved from his embarrassingly watery eyes by the arrival of Mrs Potter and a fully laden lunch tray for James and him. He thanked her as many times as he could before gulping his half of the pumpkin juice and sinking his teeth into as many sandwiches as possible.
Mrs. Potter watched him eat with a sorrowful expression that he hated being responsible for before she caught herself staring and smiled warmly instead
“We’d be delighted if you’d stay with us, Sirius. I know you’ll both be adults in not so long, but until then and even after sometimes I figure you’ll need somewhere to call home. Would that be ok with you?” She offered.
Sirius nearly choked on his damn sandwich. “I can’t do that to you… I shouldn’t have come here without asking in the first place; I just didn’t know what else to do. I’m sorry.”
“Oh love, we’re so glad you thought to come here. And if you have no real objections, I’m quite set on keeping you. Every child deserves a happy home, and goodness knows we must have years to make up for with you.”
James pounced on his mother with a delighted yelp and Sirius just squeezed her hand as tight as he could, absolutely overwhelmed.