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I never learned to read your mind
TW: violence, physical abuse, injuries
／｜＼
Six and a half years ago, Sirius Black had been sorted into Gryffindor. Six and a half years ago, he would have been too scared to do what he was about to do. He tightly gripped the handle of his trunk - he had left it unpacked - and took in the view of his childhood bedroom one last time. The sun had started to set - casting a golden light across the room as if saying farewell.
This was it.
In this moment, he felt no regret or sentiment for this cursed house. He had only ever lived in fear while under this roof.
There was nothing else for him to pack. He paused near his door, and exhaled. The faintest sliver of closure was already starting to settle in. Trunk under an arm and his wand in the other hand, Sirius quietly pushed open the door and stepped out.
All had been going smoothly.
But even Sirius Black, the infamous trickster of Hogwarts could not have prevented the loud creak in the last flight of stairs.
His mother and father could not have appeared before him quicker.
"And just where do you think you're going, young man?" his father demanded, eyes flickering towards the trunk.
But they already knew. Sirius could tell. A selfish part of him thought he saw panic growing in his mother's eyes.
"Any place but here," Sirius said coldly. His grip on his wand tightened.
"I don't think so," his father scoffed. "Go back to your room. You'll be excused from dinner."
"No," Sirius said firmly.
Rage was building up in his father. The string was about to snap. "What do you say to me?"
"No," Sirius repeated, this time angrily. "I'm off. Goodbye, have a nice life."
Red hot pain jolted through his body as he was flung into the closest wall. His head throbbed. Was that blood coming from his nose? Where was his wand? The familiar feeling of dread and terror began to curl up in his stomach.
"How dare you!" Sirius heard his mother seethe. "After all that we've done for you? You spoiled brat!"
Sirius couldn't speak - whether it was out of habit or because he was too dizzy, he didn't have enough time to think about it. He tasted blood.
Was it too late?
"CRUCIO."
White hot pain seared through his body, stabbing at him in every part of his body. A cry choked in his throat, but he refused to let tears fall. He had tried so hard already. This couldn't hold him back. It just couldn't.
Through his blurred pain and desperation, he tried to reach for his wand. It must've fallen somewhere beside him.
"NO!" his father roared.
And Sirius knew that his wand wasn't far away. At last, he fumbled it into his fingers and gripped it more tightly than he ever had. It was his last chance.
Then he hoped that he had enough concentration to apparate.
The familiar, loud crack was music to his ears. His heart soared with joy.
Then all was black.
-
Celeste Malfoy was anxious. She had not forgotten what Sirius had told her. He was leaving. A selfish part of her was envious.
She shook her head. No - she could never! Fulfilling her duty in her family was all she had been raised for. She couldn't disappoint. She couldn't fail.
A sharp knock sounded at her bedroom.
"Come in!" Celeste called, quickly standing up from her vanity. She smoothened down the front of her dress, already uncomfortable in the lavish thing.
Her mother briskly strode in, with a stiff nod of approval at Celeste's appearance. "Get ready for dinner. Fix your hair a bit, dear."
Celeste's brows furrowed. "Is there an occasion?"
"There is always a reason to look nice. But yes, the Rosier's are coming over for dinner."
She froze. "W-What?" she managed to say.
"You heard me," her mother said mildly, studying her gloves. "It won't be too grand. They're only here to discuss some matters." She glanced out the door and noticed Selene passed by. "Selene, dear, come in!"
Selene begrudgingly entered.
"B-But," Celeste tried to say.
"Selene, don't slouch," their mother snapped. "Celeste, don't mumble. You know I despise that."
"Can't I marry someone else?" Celeste said timidly.
"Someone else? My dear, nobody else wants you!" her mother exclaimed, finding her question amusing.
Selene snorted.
Panic and dread curled in her stomach. "Why... not?"
"Child, you're in Gryffindor for heaven sakes!" her mother sighed, growing frustrated. "It's only that your father and I hardly care about that sort of thing! Don't you know how that Sirius Black suffered for getting into Gryffindor?"
Celeste flinched. "What?"
Her mother sighed again. "Never mind that now. Get ready." In whirl of her skirts, she was out the door.
Selene wrinkled her nose. "Merlin, you're so picky about everything. Why aren't you excited about getting married to Evan? He's filthy rich. You'll be comfortable for the rest of your days."
Celeste's anger rose. "Excited? There is nothing to be excited about. This is everything that I don't want."
"Oh, please. I'd trade you in a heartbeat if I could," Selene scoffed.
"Have fun being married to your rapist then," she retorted.
It slipped out too quickly. Godric, Celeste hated siblings.
Selene stilled. "What?"
"Never you mind now," Celeste snapped, irritated as ever. "Get out of my room."
Her sister's eyes filled with remorse. "I'm sorry," was all she said before flouncing out the door. Selene would never live to understand.
Celeste did not put any effort to fix her hair. Why should she?
Perhaps one day she would accept her fate. But for now, she refused to.
