To Have A Home

Chapter 1

Sirius Black sat on the train ride home from Hogwarts, his stomach churning. It was Christmastime, and the first time he would see his parents since he'd been sorted into Gryffindor. He was absolutely petrified.
"Sirius? Oi! Sirius!" James said. Sirius looked up. He hadn't realized how zoned out he'd been.
"Yeah?"
"You've been totally spaced out, mate. We've been trying to talk to you for, like, five minutes."
"Sorry just... stressed about going home, I guess." His friends knew that his family disapproved of him being in Gryffindor, but they didn't really know how bad it was at home. He didn't want them to worry, so he just left it at that. Meanwhile, James, Remus and Peter were exchanging glances.
"You can stay at my place if you want, you know. Or just come over for a few days." offered James.
"Naw, I'll be fine, Jamsie! Nothing to worry about! All good!" Sirius replied with an overly cheerful tone. The other boys suspected something was up, but said nothing. If Sirius wanted to tell them, he would, but they weren't going to push him... For now, anyways.
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The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop at Platform 9¾ at last. Remus cleaned up the Exploding Snap cards they had out and Peter threw out the candy wrappers (sure, they'd only known James and Sirius for a few months, but you don't have to know them for very long to know that there is no chance of getting them to help clean up a mess).
James turned to tell Sirius again that he could stay at the Potter's house if he wanted, but saw nobody there. Sirius had already left the compartment. James tried not to feel hurt, maybe Sirius was in a rush? But he couldn't help but feel insulted — weren't they supposed to be best friends? James rushed out of the compartment and off the train to find Sirius.
"Be right back!" he said over his shoulder to Peter and Remus. He scanned the platform, looking for his friend, and found him standing next to who could only be his parents and his brother.
"Sirius!" James said, "Why'd you leave the compartment in such a hurry! I want to say bye to my best friend before the holiday!" Sirius' face paled. He glanced up at his father, who was wearing a look of masked rage — one that he often had to wear in public when Sirius was present.
"Er — later, James... see you at school." Sirius responded in a strained voice. James didn't know why this was such a big deal. Sure, Sirius' family were huge Slytherins and stuff, but they wouldn't hate James or anything, would they?
James heard from behind him his parents' voices, and waved at Sirius before running off to join them and go home. Once he left, Sirius' dad spoke.
"Nice friend of yours. James, did he say his name was? You know, the Potters, those filthy blood traitors, have a son named James in your year. But surely even you, Sirius, would not be that stupid?" There was a sharp edge to his voice that indicated he already knew the answer to his question: Sirius was that stupid. It was James Potter. Sirius gulped and looked up at his father. 'I'm in for it when we get home,' Sirius thought.
The Blacks soon arrived at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, where Kreacher was already busy cooking dinner.
"You know, son, I always knew you were an idiot. A disappointment. But if someone told me you'd be a Gryffindor? And friends with a Potter? I'd curse then into the next year." Orion Black said to his son.
"I'm sorry..." said Sirius. His face was pale and he was quivering with fear.
"Looks like we're a little bit past SORRY, doesn't it? It's too late to change your house, but if you keep associating with filthy blood traitors, you are NO SON OF MINE" yelled Orion in reply. He raised his hand and smacked his son across the face with such force that he fell over.
"Sorry, sir, I promise I'll do better" Sirius gasped, a small tear trickling down his face.
"Get out of my sight." Orion spat, and Sirius scurried out of the room.