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Runaways and the Potter Safe House

Sirius Black, Sixteen Years Old

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The sound of Walburga Black's black, velvet downton shoes hitting the floor as she walked, echoed around the house. As always, she was late for dinner.

Food had already been placed on the table, and Orion, Regulus and Sirius were already seated, waiting for Walburga.

Sirius and Regulus sat together, as they always did at meals.

Different in beliefs, the two brothers were still somewhat kind and caring for each other. They looked almost identical that night. They both wore white button downs and black suspenders over, wearing black oxfords on their feet, their hair slicked back.

They were similar in ways. Although their ages were separated by two years, they were close, as to the point they went out together occasionally when they were bored. Regulus had shorter black hair than Sirius's, but was on the way to getting to it's length. Regulus was smaller, didn't have Sirius's Quidditch build yet, but was still one of the favourites of the Slytherin girls at school because of his arrogant , haughty, good looks, the same reason Sirius was sought after from the girls in other houses.

They were certainly different. Regulus grew up with his families forceful influence about blood purity and the disdain of Muggles. He never said much about it, but thought that it was somewhat right. He would consider his parents opinions and Sirius's, and whatever Sirius said about Muggles was what kept Regulus fully loathing them and hexing the ones at school. As Regulus strived to make his parents proud, Sirius was the complete opposite, saying things that bothered them, always resulting in arguments. Regulus was Slytherin as Sirius was Gryffindor. They were different. But they were brothers and they had an okay bond.

Finally, Walburga had arrived.

Finally. Sirius thought as Regulus pulled her seat out.

It was exactly a week since Sirius and Regulus had returned from Hogwarts. As Regulus was greeted with affection and delight, Walburga and Orion nodded their heads at Sirius, gave him a once over and then hurried off to get their way back home, leaving Sirius to trail behind him, pulling his own things as Kreacher pulled Regulus's.

"So where have you two been today?" Orion asked his sons. When he had returned late in the afternoon, both boys were nowhere to be found.

Regulus nodded and said, "We went out to grab a Butterbeer,"

"Oh, good." Walburga smiled, "Any familiar faces along the way?"

The piece of lamb on Regulus's fork had fallen off as he was about to eat it. He sneaked a look at Sirius who was completely unfazed by the question.

"Yes, we bumped it into Dromeda and her husband Ted," he said without a care. "Talked to them a bit. She's doing great."

Regulus groaned at his brother as their mother gasped.

"Husband? You mean she married him?"

"Well, yes," Sirius said.

"Blood traitor!" she spat, "She married him! Oh my poor, poor brother! How dare she humiliate the House of Black, connecting it to such filth!" Walburga screeched.

Sirius sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Regulus groaned once more, knowing this was all going badly.

"I don't understand why two had to talk to her!" Orion bellowed.

Walburga was still ranting on, "Such an embarrassment! No shame! Besmirching the name Black!"

"Ooh, 'besmirching.' That's a new one," Sirius whispered to his brother. Regulus glared at him.

"I don't know why you had to provoke her," Regulus whispered.

Sirius shrugged.

"Now of course, you didn't talk to her, m'boy. Just this one, right?" Orion asked Regulus, nodding his head towards Sirius.

Regulus jolted up and looked at his father. Regulus did say, "Hi," to Andromeda. They were cousins, and although he was completely against her decisions, he couldn't just ignore her like they haven't been through anything together. He was soft.

Before he could answer, Orion interjected, "It wouldn't surprise me if you, Sirius, turn out like Andromeda,"

Completely used to things said to him like this, Sirius feigned interest, "Really? Well she did look happy. Maybe I should try it out. Marry one of the Mug-"

"Do not even say it!" Walburga shouted.

Sirius scoffed, "Alright,"

Fanning herself, Walburga tsked, "Such crude things to say. Pure-blood and Muggles should not associate! Magical blood must stay pure! Toujour purs! The things you say Sirius, the things you think. I cannot believe such things infiltrate that mind of yours,"

Orion snorted, "Really? He's a Gryffindor! They tolerate such nonsense. 'Magical Muggles,' Pfft. Talent thieves that's what they are! Mudbloods! Magic should've just stayed with blood! It shouldn't have just come out of nowhere. Stolen magic," he shook his head.

Taking a sip of his wine, Sirius glowered at his father.

"Oh, do not look at me like that! That's what your sorting has done to you. Disrespectful, conceding, wild, that's what you Gryffindors are! Not like us powerful, honorable, pure Slytherins! Thank, Merlin, Regulus was put in the right place! Never has there ever been a Black in the Gryffindor lot! Not in any other house! No! But you, boy, you seem to defy everything."

Sirius clenched his jaw.

"It's those Potters, I believe. They're an atrocious influence on him," Walburga said, "Though, Gryffindors aren't as bad as Mudbloods, Orion. No, no. We should be worried about the possible attraction he has on them! Have you seen his room? Advertising the whorishness of Muggle woman, riding those mundane inventions of theirs! They've got no shame! Absolutely none! Mudbloods are quite daft, don't you think? They-"

"The smartest witch in my year is a Muggle," Sirius said. "Smartest witch I know,"

Orion and Walburga stared at him in disbelief. Then they looked at each other then back to a quite serious Sirius. They laughed.

"A Muggle? Smart witch? Your year must be quite thick then!" Orion laughed.

Sirius glared at his father.

"And here we are again," Orion said, cooling from his laughter, "Here we are again with the staring. Your lot must be quite daft if all you can respond to me with are glares, boy. Quite daft," he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.

Sirius's temper rose, "Well brain defects are results of incest. You two must take the blame for my daftness,"

That quickly got Orion to stop chuckling.

Sirius smirked, "What? Embarrassed?"

That's when it happened. A full wine glass came hurtling at Sirius. He fell back off his chair, his back hitting the wall. Just as his back hit the wall, the wine glass did, too, shattering above him, pieces cutting his face and arms, wine pouring on him.

"Sirius!" Regulus called.

"Sit down!" Orion shouted.

Conflicted, Regulus looked at his brother then back to his mother, who had thrown the wine glass in the first place.

"Sit down, Regulus!" Walburga ordered. Her nostrils were flared and her hands were shaking with anger.

Regulus had to sit down.

"You. You ungrateful brat! How dare you talk to us like that! We did this for you!" she pointed at Sirius, "We made you pure!"

"You also made me second cousins with my brother!" Sirius growled, standing up from the floor. He dusted himself, and stomped towards the foyer.

"Where do you think you're going?" Walburga screamed.

"Away obviously!" Sirius shouted back.

"You blood betraying piece of filth!" Orion bellowed, "Abandoning your family!"

Walburga had stomped after him, "You are a disgrace Sirius Black! You dishonorable, treacherous, worthless disappointment! You do not deserve the name Sirius Black! Named after such great and honorable men before you! My fathers. Oh, how disappointed they would've been to see you,"

Sirius yanked his cloak off the hanger and pulled onto himself. Regulus and Orion were standing behind Walburga.

"Sirius, don't," Regulus pleaded.

Sirius looked at his conflicted brother. Sirius felt sorry that he was somehow making his brother choose between his brother and his parents.

"Regulus," Sirius said, "Don't let them make your choices, alright?"

Regulus was taken back, not sure what to say.

"You listen to me, Sirius Black," Orion shouted, intruding the brotherly moment, "Youlisten to me! You step a foot out of this house, then-then,"

"Then I point my wand to the tapestry and blast you off as I have done to your filthy, Mudblood loving cousin! Do not try me Sirius Black, or I will," Walburga finished for him.

Taking one look at his family, Sirius nodded, "Then so be it," he turned the door knob behind him and slammed it as he walked down the steps.

~~O~~

Most people would've ran. Ran as far as they could to get away. That's what running away is. Sirius walked. He walked because he knew no one was going to chase after him. Walburga and Orion wouldn't even try, and Regulus had no choice but to stay. Why waste the energy?

Where he was going? Sirius had no idea. He just had to get away.

He was sixteen, no money, couldn't apparate, no access to a floo network. He had nowhere to go. He couldn't go to Andromeda's, she had enough problems with the family, he didn't want to go to James's because his family could easily find that one out and the other properties the Black's owned were certainly out of question.

Had he not inherited his mother's temper, kept his mouth shut and let his father willingly provoke him, Sirius could be cooped up in his room at the moment, throwing pointy objects at his smaller version of the family tree.

But that's what he's been doing for years now. Sixteen to be exact. For sixteen years, Sirius has been tolerating every nag, put-down and abuse his parents had thrown at him. He would glare, make minor retorts and hide in his room. He couldn't do that anymore. After sixteen years of it, Sirius had hit his limit. He couldn't take it anymore.

Never has he ever felt the way Regulus felt about their family. Not even before he was sorted into Gryffindor when he was eleven. It was long before that his family had began isolating him, making him an outcast in his own family. He was different.

And because he was different, he ended up walking for miles away from Number 12 Grimmauld Place to who-knows-where.

By the time he had reached a suitable stay, it had been two and a half days since he left the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.

Sirius somehow ended up in Hogsmeade. He wasn't sure how, as he was mindlessly travelling for days, but somehow he, did and was more than happy to be there.

Using his animagus form, Sirius walked around in Hogsmeade until he found himself in the back alley of the Three Broomsticks. He circled the area in front of the door before getting himself comfortable and laying down there.

He was hungry. No doubt. For the last three days, he's been disguising himself as a dog, approaching vendors that would have the heart to give him food. He's been living off of leftovers and puddle water.

He was tired. Throughout the two days, he had slept a total of five hours. Again using his animagus to make it less odd. Stray dogs sleeping under a tree was normal, not sixteen year old boys.

That's what he was now. A stray.

It was evening now. Judging by the way the sky looked, Sirius guessed it was around eight o'clock in the evening. Perfect time to nap.

As he was dozing off, the back door to the Three Broomsticks opened, revealing the barmaid, and landlord's daughter, Rosmerta. She was nine years older than Sirius, fairly acquainted with him as he and James were often there. She never minded that they snuck out of the castle to stay there.

She looked at the dog that was laid out in front of her. The large, shaggy, black dog, sleepily staring at her with equal curiosity.

She frowned, "When did you get here?" she asked the dog, crouching forward to pet him.

Sirius nudged her with his snout and growled lightly in a good manner.

"Are you lost?" she asked him.

He moved his head to the side to show, "No,"

Rosmerta smiled, "Speak english, huh? Smart dog you are. Hungry, mate?"

The dog stuck his tongue out.

"I'll take that as a yes, be back in a minute," she gave him one last pet and a wink, before getting up again to get food inside. She came back with five chicken legs, a bowl of water and some chopped up raw vegetables. "Only got leftovers for you, sweetheart, but it should do for the night. I'll cook you up a batch tomorrow." she petted him.

Sirius was giddy, chewing on the chicken and lapping at the water fervently.

"Hungry, aren't you, boy? Oh, you poor thing," she crooned.

Sirius barked in approval.

She smiled sadly, "Can't bring you in the pub, though, shame. You're a bit too big. You don't mind if I take a crate out here and have stay there for the night do you?"

Sirius barked again.

"Okay, lemme just get one and set you up for the night. You're a lucky one, I don't usually let blokes stay here for free,"

Rosmerta began putting Sirius's makeshift home together, constructing it of newspapers and hay.

"Think this should be good. What do you think?" she asked the dog.

He barked happily.

"Alright this settles it," she smiled, "See you tomorrow then?"

He nodded.

"Okay, mate. Goodnight," she said as she picked his dishes up.

Sirius trotted over to his "bed" and couldn't help but smile, as a dog could. It was the most comfortable things he's laid in since he left the Black Home.

That's how things went for a whole week. Rosmerta fed him breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the occasional snack. She'd use a cleaning spell on him, keeping him clean and flea free. She'd talk to him, keep him company and made sure he was always comfortable. Rosmerta will always have a special place in Sirius's heart.

On a really sunny afternoon, a quarter past noon to be exact, Sirius was strolling in the village, out for some exercise. He was just passing by Honeydukes, when he saw a bothered James and Marlene walk out.

Sirius stopped in his place, not knowing what to do.

James caught sight of the big, black dog. He'd recognize it anywhere.

"Padfoot," he said under his breath.

Marlene quirked her eyebrow, taking her sugar quill out of her mouth, "What?"

James, caught off guard, shook his head, "Nothing, nothing. I just remembered Sirius asked me to get him something. You don't mind waiting for me in the Three Broomsticks, do you?"

Marlene shook her head, "It's fine. I'll save us a seat and order you a Butterbeer, yeah?"

"Yeah," James nodded. Marlene waved and entered the Three Broomsticks as James walked towards the dog. "Let's go, Padfoot,"

Sirius trotted behind him.

When James found a place for them to sit, a private, quiet place with a bench, Sirius transformed into his human form.

James frowned at him, "Sit!"

Sirius obeyed, and sat down brashly.

James plopped down beside him and leaned back, crossing his legs, "How barking mad are you?" his voice wasn't angry, Sirius noticed, but certainly worried, "Where've you been this whole time?"

Sirius scoffed, "Here obviously," he leaned back, too, "And what do you mean? You know what happened?"

"Yes!" James scowled, "Your mum sent us a howler! Told us we could keep the "filth"! We had no idea what she was talking about until your Uncle Alphard came over a few nights ago for a meeting with dad," Alphard and James's father, Charlus, worked at the ministry together, "He told me you ran away! Told me everything that happened,"

Sirius clenched his jaw, "Nonsense. He wouldn't know, he wasn't there,"

"Regulus was," James countered, "He told your Uncle everything. Explains that on your face," he pointed to the long cut on Sirius's left cheek. A reminder of his mother's anger.

"Why didn't you come to the Manor?" James asked Sirius.

Sirius snorted, "My mum would've done more than send a howler if she found out I was actually at your place," he brushed it off, "Plus, it's sort of far,"

"So is Hogsmeade! Mate! Should've flooed me and say that you needed a place to stay! Should'nt've gone all the way here! How are you eating? Where are you getting things to drink?" James exclaimed.

Sirius sighed, "Rosmerta's been a real sweetheart. I think she's considering adopting me. As a pet that is,"

"So you've been living off of leftovers," James said.

"Not really," Sirius grinned, "She makes me my own meals. Lucky bloke that marries her,"

"She's given you a room in the pub, has she?" James said bitterly.

"Sort of, got an outdoor one, view and everything," Sirius joked.

James glared at him, "This isn't funny. I've been bloody worried about you since I found out!"

Sirius ignored him, "What're you and McKinnon doing here anyways?"

James scowled at him, "I promised her we'd come by here to look around. But that's besides the point! The point is, you shouldn't be here! You should be at the house!"

Sirius rolled his eyes, "The family's already caused your mum enough grief," which wasn't quite a lie.

When Dorea married Charlus Potter, the Black's weren't too happy as the Potters weren't as keen on blood purity as the Blacks were. But they were still a pure-blood family, so Dorea wasn't exactly disowned. Walburga and Druella (her sister in law) frequently criticize Dorea and her husband, saying that they were idiots for accepting Muggles and all. Dorea didn't mind, just cared that she was free to forget about the Blacks.

"Mum doesn't care about your mum," James said, "She's livid though, y'know. Livid. Dad and I have never seen her so mad. When she found out what the howler was about, she sent one back saying things I never even knew my mom could think of,"

Sirius beamed, "No way,"

James nodded, "Yeah. Never heard her say such things before. It's hilarious. They're still sending letters to each other," he was chuckling.

"You've got to be kidding me," Sirius laughed.

James shook his head, grinning, "To quote my mum to yours,

'You are a pitiful excuse of a mother and you have no right to call yourself one. You should be ashamed of you've done and what you let happen you despicable, obtuse, narrow minded twat,'"

Sirius was cracking up, "She did not say twat!"

"No, no she did," James smiled, "There's more,

'Take Sirius's action as a result of the terrible parenting, traumatizing environment and dreadful childhood in which he was forced to endure. You and your husband (or second cousin, however you like to put it) should take this event as a lesson and reflect it upon yourselves to realize how much of a low-life, contemptible, vile, wretched and cheap life you lead. You can take your blood purity fanatics and shove them up you arse and keep it there considering no one really cares. I bid you, good day," James finished in a bright tone.

Sirius was now roaring with laughter.

"She's been real scared for you. Mum. Wants you to come home," James said, trying to fit in persuasion.

Calming down, Sirius shook his head, "There's not a chance I'm going back to that place," he said.

James rolled his eyes, "Not your home, you dolt. Mum wants you to stay at the Manor,"

Sirius shook his head, "I can't. Can't give you guys the trouble-"

"What trouble?" James scoffed, "You're nothing my family isn't used to,"

"I'm not just visiting if I go to your house, Prongs. I know I won't. I get there and your mum's going to make sure I stay there for as long as she wants me to. I don't want your parents worrying about me,"

"My mum's going mad looking for you already. She sent the house-elves to go looking for you. The problem is, they don't know about your doggy talent," James smirked, "You gotta come to the house, Sirius. Mum's gonna disown me herself if she finds out that I let you prance around here by yourself,"

Sirius shook his head. "James, I'm not living there. I'm not going to have your parents spend money on me- which I know they'll do - and I don't want you guys to get into all of this. Your mum left the family for a reason and honestly it's nothing to go back to, to affiliate with, so tell your mum I'm okay and I'm-"

"Sirius," James interrupted, "Shut up." Sirius glared at him. James continued, "Shut up because money's obviously not a problem, alright. There are a dozen rooms in the Manor and I'm positive we can certainly fit you in. And mum's already deep in this fight. She's definitely shared some ideas about Walburga and she's rooting for you in the long run. Come home, make my mum happy, get yours mad, and let's play some Quidditch,"

Sirius observed James. He looked dead serious other than the fact the right tip of his mouth was tilting upwards. But James meant everything he said.

Sirius shook his head, "No. It's not that easy, mate. You can't just add, 'let's play Quidditch,' and expect it to be all fine and dandy. It's not like that-"

"I know it isn't," James snorted, "I'm not saying it will. I know this won't be easy for you and I know I have no idea what it's going to be like for you. I'm not going to pretend I do. What I'm saying is, you've got to come to the Manor and let us take care you. Just because your mum and dad doesn't want to doesn't mean we won't. You can't stay here forever, Sirius. What happens when school rolls around? How're you going to your stuff with no money and all?"

Sirius shrugged, "Don't know. I'll figure it out. Dumbledore might understand. I don't know and listen-"

"And thinking of it, you won't be at the house a lot anyways. The summer ends and then we're back at Hogwarts for nine months. It's not much of a hassle,"

"Listen, James-"

"No you listen, Sirius. Because honestly all you've been doing is trying to block everything I'm saying out. You've got nowhere to go but the Manor and you're going. I'm not leaving without you. I'm not going to let you live as a dog for the rest of your life, and I'm not going to let you ruin yourself just because someone as impossible as your mother says you're worthless or that you're a disgrace. I know she's your mum and everything but what real mum says that and let's their kid just leave? Sirius, come to the Manor, alright? Mum needs to know you're okay and honestly so do I. Come on, mate,"

Sirius stared long and hard at James who wasn't kidding anymore, who wasn't being playful. He was being sincere and real.

Sirius stood up and started walking away.

"Oi!" James hollered, "Where're you going?"

"Three Broomsticks and then your house, duh. Can't keep two pretty ladies waiting. Marlene's been in there by herself for like fifteen minutes already and like you said your mum's waiting. Hurry!" Sirius said.

James was awestruck and relieved. He was smiling, "Oh this is going to be the best summer ever! You, me and Marlene and she's going to have Evans over a few times. This is going to amazing. Makes everything easier, too…."

Remus Lupin, Twenty-one Years Old

Lily was watching the rain fall. She loved thunderstorms.

James never understood why. You couldn't play Quidditch when thunder was exploding your ears, and lightning zapped anywhere you went near it. It was annoying. Not even Sirius, being a dog, liked thunderstorms, hiding beneath tables and everything.

But Lily loved it. She loved opening the windows, kneeling on the windowsill and watching the thunderstorm occur. She loved the pitter-patter of the rain hitting the roof. The splish-splash of the water falling from a leaf down into the puddles. She loved the way a streak of lightning could brighten up the sky in such a dramatic way for a second. She loved it.

So there she was, watching the rain fall as James rocked Harry to sleep. As Lily watched the storm, James watched her.

Maybe there was a good thing about thunderstorms. The way Lily looked watching storms made James feel so relaxed. It was the way she looked so entertained and calm. It was nice to see after they've been locked up in the house for so long, making Lily bored and worrisome.

Their cat, Elvendork came into the room, loping in lazily, then jumping up to join Lily on the sill. Elvendork was the cat's new name. Lily had her since the fifth year, his name then was Oliver. But for some reason when Lily was midway in her pregnancy, the cat stopped responding to Oliver. James was joking around one night and called the cat Elvendork. Surprisingly, the cat came running to him and leaped into James's arms. They've called him Elvendork since, much to James's liking.

They've just moved in. A month after Harry's birth and two weeks since Dumbledore came and told them the grave danger they and their child was in.

They were trapped in their house with each other, Harry and Elvendork. Which wasn't bad. James loved Lily and Harry so much, he didn't mind being there all the time with them, and the same went for Elvendork. But James couldn't help but feel irked about staying in one place for a long time, while his friends were out saving the world. It bothered Lily, too, which was why she spent so much of her time keeping herself busy.

Right now, though, Lily was busy watching the storm. She was watching a puddle start when she noticed him.

He was pacing outside of their gate in Godric's Hollow, talking to himself.

"James," Lily said.

"Shh, Lily. I just got Harry to sleep," James answered, laying Harry down on the bed. He placed two hot dog like pillows around Harry to prevent him from rolling and falling, "What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper.

"Remus," Lily said, "He's outside,"

James raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"He's walking to the door," Lily mumbled.

"What?" James asked, "It's half past midnight,"

But Lily didn't answer because she ran out of the room, down the stairs.

James, confused, hurried and brought Harry to the nursery, laying him down in his crib.

When he turned up at the door, Lily had just got there, opening it before he could knock.

"Remus," Lily breathed when she opened the door.

"L-Lily," Remus stuttered. She wasn't sure if it was because he was nervous or scared, or because he was cold.

Lily took a good look at Remus. He must've been out in the rain for a long time because he was soaked through, making his shirt transparent. His hair was dripping and his whole body was shivering.

"Remus, come in, come in," she pulled his arm.

"Lily," Remus mumbled, "I don't mean to be a burden, really,"

"Nonsense," she scolded, "It's alright," she went bustling about looking for towels. Laying one on the couch she said, "Sit. Sit,"

Remus obeyed and sat down sheepishly, "I didn't mean to barge in or anything and I saw the light on upstairs so I figured you three were awake somewhat and see I-I" he rambled.

"It's fine, really," Lily said reassuringly, "It's just Harry that's asleep,"

Remus nodded, reconsidering his choice of coming in, "Then maybe I should go. I don't want to wake him up. I-"

"Sit back down," James called from the stairs as Remus was about to stand up.

James studied his friend who was dripping on the carpet and was obviously agitated. One look, and James understood why Remus was there.

The two of them just stared at each other, Remus having the most apologetic look on his face. James looked a bit angry.

Sensing this was a Marauder thing, Lily said, "I'll get you some dry clothes and something warm to drink,"

Remus nodded a thanks while James said, "And a room, too," not meaning to sound so demanding. Lily didn't mind just said okay and made her way to everything.

Elvendork came running down the stairs, ignored Lily, and made his way to James, curling himself on James's lap as he sat down in the armchair across of Remus.

And by the look on his face, Remus knew that James knew.

James knew that Remus had been kicked out of his small flat in Cokesworth.

He's been homeless, wandering the streets, apparating around since Tuesday late in the afternoon. It was Saturday at midnight now.

The landlord, a plump, wobbly, short Irish, wizard man who wore wifebeaters in the summer and wifebeaters and pants in the winter, had evicted Remus from his home after he was tipped that Remus was a werewolf. His first reasoning though was, "Yeh've missed the ren' paymen', Lupin, yeh gotta get outta 'ere,"

His rent payment was due on the Wednesday after.

But as Remus tried to reason with the landlord, giving him two months in advance even, which the landlord had taken, but he had started throwing things out of the house onto the streets, attracting a crowd.

"I don' wan' yer kind 'ere, Lupin!" the landlord finally yelled, "Danger ter all of us, you are!"

Remus didn't fight back or yell at him. He picked up his thrown clothes and tossed them into his trunk, took one look at the landlord and the flat and then left. For five days now, Remus had been going about finding small shacks and kiosks to shelter in for a few hours every once in a while.

Remus explained everything while James sat on the armchair, listening, scowling all the while.

"I'm going to go there tomorrow and I'm getting your flat back," James muttered.

"James," Remus shook his head, "He won't give in. And all the other residents around heard him yelling at me. He's right, I'm dangerous,"

"You're not as smart as I thought you are," James mumbled, "If you're dangerous, then Sirius and I should be Azkaban by now,"

Remus smiled.

"I've got an idea of who snitched," James mumbled.

"No, no, I think he found out. With me leaving every full moon-"

"Snape," he grumbled, ignoring Remus.

Remus rolled his eyes. Even when they were twenty-one years old, James and Snape were still going to feud.

"James, we're all grown up now. Don't you think it's foolish to still be-"

"Lily used to live in Cokesworth y'know," James interrupted again.

Remus raised an eyebrow, not understanding where this was going.

"That's where she met Snape. Lily said he still lives with his mum there, down in Spinner's End. You live a bit close there, right?"

Remus nodded.

"The git probably saw you and took his chance to ruin you. And do not call me the child, Remus. I'm not the one going around telling people that Snape's a disease, am I?" James said bitterly, "Padfoot and I are going down to Cokesworth tomorrow and there will certainly be hexing,"

Remus sighed, "James," he said, "I just need to stay here till the rain dies down. I'll leave a soon as the it stops,"

"And where're you gonna go?" James asked.

Remus hesitated because even he didn't know. "I-I'll find a place in Hogsmeade or something," he stuttered.

"No offense, mate, but you've got no money. That git of a landlord of yours robbed you,"

It was true. He spent two months of rent on a place he wasn't staying in anymore, and the first night of the horrendous rainstorm, Remus had stayed in a shabby pub not too far from Cokeworth. Then he needed food, transportation, and more food, which left him with little money.

"James," he sighed, "I can't stay here and intrude you and Lily. I just need to stay the night, that's all. You guys already have Harry to think about and I won't be able to pay you back after-"

"I wasn't asking you to," James said.

What James saw right now was his stressed out, homeless, and lonely friend who was too proud for his own good, sitting in front of him. What he saw was someone he cared for needing help. And James couldn't say no.

"Lily and I are okay when it comes to money," James said, "And we don't need it at the moment considering we're all cooped up in here. Remus, stay here and we'll give what you need. And I think Lily, Harry and I need you here a bit. We're all getting a bit bored of each other, I think. Harry's been getting a bit fussy with us lately. Elvendork's drifting from Lily already, and I think I might be, too," he added jokingly as Lily scurried behind him. She hit the back of his head, "Ow, kidding, love. Anyways, we'd love to have you here," James smiled.

Remus broke out into a grin, "For Harry, then,"

James laughed and nodded, "For Harry... for the cat and me…. And for Lily's sanity,"

The two friends stood up and hugged, "Thank you so much, Prongs,"

James squeezed his shoulder, "For Harry,"

Just in time, Lily came out of the kitchen, a set of clean pajamas, a dry, fluffy towel and a cup of hot tea ready for Remus, "Welcome, Remus," she smiled.

Normally, I would've set the chapter up as 'James Potter and Sirius Black' or 'James Potter and Remus Lupin.' But since these two stories are so similar I just made it into one, 'Runaways and the Potter Safe House.'

I like to think that Sirius and Regulus had an okay relationship before Sirius ran away and they only started disliking each other after. Sirius being gone from their home, made it easier for Regulus to get into the Dark Arts and had nothing to stop him from wanting to be a Death Eater now that Sirius was gone. Regulus becoming a Death Eater might've also been a sign of rebellion against Sirius, in my mind, because he could've gotten upset with his older brother when he left him alone in that depressing house.

Just imagine of Kreacher replacing Sirius as a brother to Regulus. XD

Now I know that the whole thing with Dorea and Walburga and the rest of the Black family must've been a bit confusing, but bear with me because I like the thought that James's mum was a Black. Idk why, I just do.

Remus moving in with Lily and James for a bit was inspired by a headcanon I came across on Tumblr. "They've just moved in when he turned up at the door and James couldn't say no," That's why those phrases are italicized. I'm not sure who had started it or whatever, but yeah.

Shitty ending to the last one, by the way, sorry.

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