Sirius Black

Note: Before the In Your Absence flood begins

[Sirius had his room changed to his post-Hogwarts flat once he became a Warden, but today, he sits on a narrow bed that looks suspiciously like the one from the Potter house bedroom he once shared with James. The bed that was his original Inmate bed on the Barge. He sits indian-style with a moving photograph of himself, James, and Lily from the Potter wedding on his lap.]

I wasn't sure I'd ever have reason to announce this. Not because of my Inmate, but because of myself. I wasn't sure I had it in me to help someone. But I'm pleased to announce that Merope Gaunt has graduated. We've been working steadily on her magic for a month now. She's learned everything she needed to learn in order to leave this place. She's earned her second chance. And she's helped me to earn mine.

[He smiles a little, sadly.]

I know I officially earned my second chance when I graduated, when Severus Snape managed to put aside his feelings toward me and help me see the truth about myself. But the real truth is, nothing was ever going to feel right for me until I could save my best mate. Until I could save James and Lily Potter, I was never going to feel like I had succeeded here.

[He looks down at the photograph.]

I'm going back, now, to face the rest of my life. A life I know will be bloody terrible, but also bloody great, because in the end, the right side is going to win. My godson is going to defeat Voldemort. James and Lily are going to live again. I'm going to be with them. All of that is worth Azkaban, worth feigning death at the hands of my darling cousin, all of it. Even living at my dreaded family home. At least Moony will be there. I can't wait to see Moony again.

[He looks up at the camera again.]

The Barge has taught me so many things. I can only hope I remember even a fraction of the lessons learned here when I wake up in my cell in Azkaban. When I make my escape, when I fulfill my end of the storybook bargain. I hope I remember the people I've met, and the friends I've made, and even the fact that Severus bloody Snape and Merope Gaunt were the two people who gave me my second chance.

So, farewell, Barge. Don't let the floods and ports break you - they always end. Sometimes they even have a purpose. Believe in yourself - whether you're a Warden or an Inmate. Anything is possible. [He tips an invisible hat to the camera and the feed cuts out.]

[Private to Merope]

My offer will always stand, no matter how much time passes in any reality - you will always have a place with me. Granted, that place will most likely be in some secret hidey-hole whilst I pretend to be dead, but it will be a place nonetheless. I plan on eventually putting the family money to good use, so expect an enormous seaside resort filled with windows and light when all things are allowed to be revealed.

I know I've said this already, but I'm incredibly proud of you. Also, there's something I want to show you that I've never shown anyone...ever. It will require a bit of time travel, but I'm sure the Admiral won't mind.

Backdated to May 16

[Public]

For anyone who found themselves on the receiving end of mysterious events that had no explanation, the cause was my Inmate, Merope Gaunt. She didn't harm anyone intentionally. I had the Admiral return her magic to her as a necessary step on her path to graduation, and I didn't anticipate the control problems that would follow. My apologies to anyone who was injured. If you have issues, problems, or concerns, please take them up with me, as it was my decision to return her magic that ultimately lead to what happened. Her magic is now limited until she can learn how to control it.

[Filtered to Lua and Dracula, separately]

Merope informed me that she used a Memory Charm on you. You were her friend, and she panicked. She didn't want you to remember what was happening. I don't know what the extent of the damage was, because Merope was not in control of her magic at the time the charm was cast. If you're forgetting things, this is the reason. I'm sorry that this happened before I figured out what was going on.

[Filtered to Amanda and Narvin, together]

Merope has informed me that she performed a Memory Charm on your Inmates. She wanted to make them forget, because they were her friends and she couldn't stop what was happening. Uncontrolled Memory Charms have very little chance of being reversed. I wouldn't even try to do so, because the risk of doing more damage is far greater than the chance of a successful reversal. I've informed Lua and Dracula. If there's anything more you want me to do, please let me know.

[The seventeen year old boy who appears on the screen looks thoroughly bored, and equally haughty. He's wearing dark robes of the finest quality, with a green and silver tie and the crest of Slytherin very present.]

I am to work on my brother's behalf, am I? And why should I? What has Sirius ever done for me? Do you know how difficult it was, following that embarrassment, that blood traitor, through school? I had to work twice as hard for half the respect.

[He shakes his head and consults an opened file.]

I'm supposed to give a Merope Gaunt her magic. Really? How's that work, when all the Gaunts are dead? And who cares about the Gaunts anyway? They're bloody creepy.

[He snaps the file closed.]

And yet, I know that this is a place of great power. Supposedly deals are struck and wishes granted. We all have wishes, don't we?

[He smiles, but it isn't much of a smile. It doesn't reach his eyes.]

((OOC: Backdated to the last day of the flood, because Regulus doesn't give any fucks about helping his brother, even if he maybe wants a wish or two granted.))

[A sleepy looking Sirius with tousled hair and a five o'clock shadow peers into the camera.]

Again, Admiral, thank you for the coma, and not an unexpected sojourn in Azkaban.

[Private to Merope]
How are you? Looks like I fell into a coma again.

((OOC: Bringing SRS back from hiatus, Viserys is still in a coma.))

[Sirius is no longer in his Gryffindor pride bedroom from the Potter house. The room behind him is similar to the bedroom he had in his London flat. His hair is cut short, he's clean-shaven, and he looks rested.]

I'm back from my trip. I hope everyone is well. I'm sure I missed the usual shenanigans, so feel free to fill me in.

Or not, really.

[Friends Filter - if you think you're on it, you are. If you aren't sure, ask.]
How are you?

[Private to Rhade]
Persephone says you should visit her after you're done here.

[Private to Kay and Dracula, separately]
Persephone wanted me to tell you that she's well.

[The video feed clicks on to show Sirius sitting in a chair before the fireplace. He's very patiently sitting still as two dozen fairies fuss about his voluminous, floor-length, cascading Rapunzel hair. Some are adding glitter, some flowers, others are trilling happily as they work in some tiny braids.]

At least the rest of me remains male.

[A brief flash of worry crosses his face and his eyes dart downward.]

[He's been sporting a rather "Azkaban chic" style as of late, but he's cleaned himself up for this particular broadcast. This whole thing seems daft to him, but just in case Snape isn't having a laugh at his expense, he rather not kick himself later.]

Here I am.

If you're one of my family members, however, kindly bugger off.

No.

Nononononononono.

Admiral, I have bloody played your games, I have behaved, I've worked in the kitchens without magic, I haven't complained! I've done everything! Everything!

You can't do this to me! You can't! Why don't you just toss me overboard and be bloody done with it?

[Private to Remus]

I know you were just killed, and I'm sorry, but Merlin help me I've been assigned to Snivellus.

[Private to John]

What happened?

I suppose it's old hat for most of you. How do you cope when a friend of yours graduates? Do you cope? Do you sweep it under a carpet and pretend, carry on, look to the next flood or port or whatever else will be coming along to bugger with you?

[He still isn't ready to discuss his other self, not over the network. He thinks about it constantly; it's starting to border on obsession. Those few seconds between the Sirius Black that got there too late and ended up with a life sentence in Azkaban, and the Sirius Black that got there in time and whisked Peter Pettigrew off for days and days of horrendous torture.]

[Filtered to Inmates]

Do you know why you're here? Have you been given a specific reason?

[Private to John]

I've been reading my file. I...didn't expect there to be so much about my family. Do you know how the Admiral gets his information?

[The video feed begins. It's obvious that someone else is holding the communicator. Sirius is sitting in a wingback arm chair, dressed in expensive robes, his hands folded neatly on his lap.]

Good evening, Barge. A small announcement. I'm graduating.

[A thin, tight-lipped smile, a far cry from the thousand-watt grin the real Sirius would have offered with his own graduation announcement.]

It's been a difficult journey. I won't pretend otherwise. I spent most of my life fighting who I really am. Even when I was faced with the broken, blood-stained truth of it. But I realised, in the end, that fighting my own nature was as imbecilic as fighting the air in my lungs. What was the point? I am Sirius Black. I am the last of the male line of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Toujours Pur.

[He pauses. His eyes have never once looked away from the camera. He never seems to blink.]

I'd be remiss if I didn't thank my warden, John Watson, for the time he invested in me. I also want to thank my dear friend, Severus, for always being there. I know I can continue to count on you as I make the transition from inmate to warden.

[Private to Martha]

Dearest Martha, no need to be so insecure. Last time I checked, I wasn't in the market for a boyfriend.

Even if I was, Severus and I are just good friends.

***Later edit after this exchange***

[Wardens Filter]

Mozenrath isn't our Mozenrath. He claims to be a visitor. He's a fan of using insults a four year old would use. He also implied he would use magic.