To Be Loyal

Prologue

Disclaimer: I'm playing in J.K.'s sandbox.

Hello, everyone. Here's a long author's note before we start; I recommend taking a look but feel free to skim.

Personally, I think that AU stories are better when the AU elements are presented naturally here and there rather than told to you flat out by the author or a character at the beginning of the story, but I want to explain a couple of things. In this story, Trelawny delivers the prophecy to Dumbledore about seven years later than in canon. This story starts in the summer before the Marauders' sixth year, but it's going to skip ahead. Secondly, Sirius is somewhat Out Of Character, in large part due to child abuse. Sirius's parents are also OOC, but I'll let you find that out for yourselves. Because of this, Sirius's bad relationship with his family in canon is twisted into something even worse. A bit of my inspiration comes from another fic with an abused Sirius that I can't remember the name of. Also, there WILL be at least one other AU element, and I'm not gonna spoil it. I have a lot of the general ideas for this story planned out in my head, and I think I've got some pretty good arcs for the characters.

Here's some background about format. I'm planning to use a Hogwarts letter address format to introduce each scene. I think it's kind of fun and iconic, and I don't know anyone else who has done it. Also, credit to author of the HP fic The Merging for the idea of coming up with non-canon quotes from characters to start off each chapter. I will likely use a mixture of these and canon quotes. Highly recommend The Merging! It's quite well-written.

On with the prologue of Loyal… which isn't as strong as I'd like, but I think Chapter One (which is done and will be posted momentarily) is pretty good.

"There's always a place for you with us, Padfoot." -James Potter, winter of 1973, after Sirius admitted for the first time that his parents hated him in the Gryffindor boys' dorm.

Sirius O. Black

An Empty Compartment

The Hogwarts Express

King's Cross, London, England

June 26, 1975

"Sirius, I need you to promise me something," James ordered, his penetrating gaze fixed on Sirius's grey eyes.

"Anything, James," Sirius replied immediately, unconsciously straightening up and meeting his friend's hazel eyes.

James put a steady hand on his shoulder. "What you told us about your parents was scary, Padfoot. Moony and I talked, and we think that if it doesn't get better this summer, you should come to Potter Manor and we'll sort things out from there."

Sirius blanched. It had felt so good to finally tell the other Marauders about his home life, but he wasn't sure about this. "Prongs, I-I don't know."

"That's what I'm afraid of," James replied softly. "Please, Padfoot. If it doesn't get better, use the mirror. I'll come get you. Same if I don't hear anything from you for a few days."

"I promise," Sirius agreed hesitantly. "But what about your parents?" He had always gotten on well with the Potters, but why would they want him living with them?

James waved his concern away dismissively. "I'll talk to them first, but if they don't agree, I'll still spring you." He winked. "In the unlikely event they don't feel comfortable taking you in, maybe they'll let me adopt a dog."

Sirius let out a loud, bark-like laugh as the tension between them evaporated. He slung an arm around James's shoulders and led him out of the compartment. "If I do end up at your house, maybe we can start planning how you can win Lily over. We had quite the setback this year at the lake, but it's not over yet. We've just been going about things the wrong way."

"You sure, Padfoot?" James asked. He was trying to keep his tone light, but his expression betrayed his anxiety. Sirius, as well as the rest of the Marauders, knew that James's consistent failures to get closer to Lily bothered him much more than most people thought.

Sirius nodded decisively as the two of them stepped off the Hogwarts Express. "I'm certain of it." Sirius knew that his best friend could be arrogant, and Prongs's attempts to impress Lily often brought out the worst in him. Sometimes, Sirius wondered if he, and perhaps Remus, were the only ones to see what Sirius thought was the "real" James: the caring leader who had brought together a group of outcasts who became brothers.