A Toast To Friendship

Chapter 1

CW: mentions of abuse and childhood trauma

Everything was dark and grey outside the window, of course, everything was like that inside as well. Here I sat, just like the day before, waiting. Of course, my mother would come in soon and yell at me for wasting her time, but right now, at this moment, it felt peaceful.

"Sirius Orion Black!" the shrill voice came shattering through the blanket of peace I had been hiding under. "YOU GET DOWN THESE STEPS RIGHT NOW! YOUR PORTRAIT MUST BE DONE BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR SCHOOL! IF I FIND YOU STARING OUT THE WINDOW AGAIN I WILL MAKE SURE YOU CANT EVEN WALK UP THESE STEPS TO GET THERE!"

I hear her warnings, and I know that soon enough I will have to get out of the attic. I also know that she is not joking about the threat either. I have been beaten so many times, that now if she gives a warning, I know it will be coming. It didn't matter if I went down the stairs now, she would just find another reason to punish me. That's why I stay up here, it's my own little hideout, the one true place I can be just Sirius, not Sirius Orion Black, heir to the black family.

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I stand up, no need to delay the inevitable any longer. Slowly I brush my hands down my dress pants, wiping off all the dirt and debris that covers the attic floors. I yank the sleeves of my shirt down and quickly grab my coat off the ground, swinging it over my shoulder before running down the stairs.

As I approach the front hall, I notice Reggie sitting like a perfect little angel perched up with a cup of tea in his hands discussing techniques the painter would be using on their portraits.

My mother glared at my dramatic entrance and slowly looked down at Reggie, smiling. I always understood that Reggie was the good child, the favorite, but she didn't have to make her disdain for me so utterly clear.

"Ah the young master Black, So great to make your acquaintance," the artist said noticing my presence.

I nod at him in response, quietly, not wanting to disturb the conversations that my brother was so well at making.

My mother walked up to me, pulling my arm and dragging me into the room where all family portraits have been created.

"you sit down," she nods to the velvet chair. "And don't you dare misbehave, you only have one more day, I'm sure your brother still wants to see you in god health before we send you off."

"yes mother," I mumble, almost inaudibly.

"Dont mumble, sit up straight," I fixed my positioning, "and behave."

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"Thank you again kind sir," my mother reminds the artist of her gratefulness, as she guides him out of our house.

"Of course, I look forward to your owl for when young Regulas's portrait is to be done."

"Certaintly, he wont be far behind Sirius in his journey tohogwarts."

"only one more year," Regulas nods politely.

"Well I look forward to it, and of course Young Sirius it was wonderful to work with you, "he nods to me, "Mister and madame black it is always a pleasure.

"Of course," my father said nodding before shutting the door on him.

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