"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Regulus cautions. "You know Mother hates it when you sneak out."

Sirius grins, leaning against the door. "Not really sneaking out if I'm not hiding what I'm doing," he reasons. "I'm waltzing out the bloody front door."

The younger boy rolls his eyes. "What are you up to, Sirius?"

"I've got to see a bloke about a motorbike."

The incredulous look on his brother's face is too perfect.

"You'll be blasted off the tapestry at the rate you're going," Regulus hisses.

"Oh, dear brother, I'm counting on that."

..

Sirius doesn't know how Dedalus has done it, but there it is. A pile of parts rest upon the garage floor, all bits and pieces that look useless, but Sirius knows that they will fit together into something beautiful.

"What is it?" the younger wizard asks.

Sirius kneels beside the parts, running his fingers over each one in turn. "Freedom."

..

"Where are you going?" Regulus asks.

"Out."

"Out where?"

Sirius turns, smirking at his brother. "Anyone ever tell you that curiosity is a really annoying trait?"

"Anyone ever tell you that you're bloody prat?"

Sirius laughs. "All the time," he answers, opening the door.

Regulus catches him by the arm. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Now, where's the fun in that?"

..

"Smells funny," Dedalus notes, nose wrinkling.

Sirius wipes his stained hands on a tattered rag. "That's the smell of hard work, Diggle," he says. "And grease."

Dedalus circles the bike frame, eyes moving over it. "Are you sure you're doing it right?" he asks. "Looks a bit unstable."

"That's because it isn't done yet," Sirius says irritably.

"Wouldn't it make more sense to just buy a broomstick?"

"No. My parents would like that too much."

The younger boy nods, but Sirius knows that he doesn't really understand.

..

"If you step outside that door, you're no longer my son," his father says.

"Good."

"Sirius, I'm warning you!"

Sirius clenches his fists. So many insults rest heavily on his tongue, demanding to be set free. But he wants to escape so badly that he sets them aside because he knows they will only lead to more time spent inside this hell. Without another word, he turns and walks outside.

..

The bike roars to life. Sirius grins as he acclerates, the wind whipping through his hair.

He knows he needs to go to the Potters'. James will be waiting for him. But he has one more stop to make.

..

"It works," Dedalus says, nearly tripping over his feet as he rushes forward. "It actually works! I didn't think you could do it."

Sirius snorts. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, mate."

"I just meant-"

"Doesn't matter. Fancy a ride?"

Eyes wide, the younger boy staggers back. "On that?"

"Yes, on that."

"Do you actually know how to drive that thing?"

Sirius shrugs. "Made it here without crashing...much."

Dedalus shakes his head and doesn't speak.

"Come on, Diggle. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"I'm a Ravenclaw, not a Gryffindor," he answers dryly, but he steps forward again.

"Come on. Let me show you what freedom feels like."