Shadows Of The Past: A Marauders' Tale

1 | The Daily Prophet

~July, 1993~

Sirius Black

He shivered as he heard the sea crash against the rocks surrounding the fortress, and felt the wind make it's way through the small window of his cell, crashing against his body, forcing his hair away from his face. Sirius Black pressed his knees closer to his chest, trying to maintain his body warmth as efficiently as he could. He couldn't remember the last time he felt warm. He had spent 12 years in Azkaban Prison and still wasn't accumulated to the never-ending coldness his new 'home' had to offer - quite pathetic in his opinion.

"Kill the traitor, kill the traitor, kill the traitor," he heard somebody muttering in their sleep a few cells away from his own. That was about everything Sirius got in regards to socializing in his high-security cell: people muttering and screaming in their sleep.

"Finally something we both agree with," Sirius said grimly, wondering if he and the muttering inmate were thinking of the same traitor - Peter Pettigrew.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Sirius cursed himself for thinking about it as the unforgettable image of his best friend's lifeless body appeared before him, as he heard Pettigrew's screams - "Lily and James, Sirius? How could you?" - the explosion, the screams, the bodies...

"No," Sirius whispered to no one in particular, "No, stop, happy thoughts, happy thoughts..."

He laughed at himself. When was the last time he had an actual happy thought?

"Neutral thoughts, neutral thoughts..." he corrected himself as he stared into the palms of his hands, trying to redirect his train of thoughts, but felt himself failing miserably as the screams inside of his head got louder and the images became clearer.

"No, I didn't do that," he tried reassuring himself. "I am innocent. I am innocent. I am innocent."

But he wasn't innocent, was he? Who convinced James to make Peter Pettigrew the Secret Keeper? Sirius did. He convinced him. He was the reason he was dead.

"I think you should make Wormtail your Secret Keeper."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"You should make Peter your Secret Keeper and tell everyone it's me."

Sirius closed his eyes and started shaking his head, trying to get rid of the memory, as he felt the guilt rising in his chest.

"Please, Prongs, you have to trust me. You have to do this."

"No, don't trust me," he whispered as he saw James's hazel eyes in front of him, as he saw him nod his head.

"I'm sorry."

And the scene shifted and he was kneeling on the floor, his hands shaking uncontrollably, tears making their way down his cheeks, facing James's lifeless body, staring at his eyes, which were wide open-

"No."

It was getting too much. Sirius forced himself to open his eyes and look around before he transformed. He was not sure why he always looked around before transforming - dementors couldn't see and dementors were the only actual company he had. Yet Sirius looked around and focused on his surroundings. To his surprise he heard a voice approaching his cell. It was still quite far away, but he could tell that it was getting closer and closer.

Sirius felt his back straighten as he focused on the approaching voice. Soon, he was able to understand what it was saying:

"Yes, yes, that seems to be in order."