Toby's expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.

He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "I want to tell you everything, Sirius. But there are... things I can't say."

His voice dropped, frustration creeping in. "The blood oath binds me. So what I can tell you is limited . There's restrictions and consequences. "

"So you've been hiding behind an oath this whole time?" I asked, my voice cold.

He met my gaze, unflinching.

"It's not hiding, it's surviving. If I break it, there's no coming back."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"Seals are meant to be broken Sirius but there's time for everything. Remember it. "

I sensed that there was more to this line than just words, it had a deeper meaning. I was tempted to ask but knowing him, restrained myself.

If he wanted to, he would have said straight.

Toby shifted uneasily, his gaze darting from me to the ground,

"I can't give you everything, not like this," he muttered, his voice tight, like he was struggling.

"But I can tell you this... it all started before we met. Long before."

"What are you saying?"

He sighed. Avoiding my eyes, he said "There's a reason I found you that day. It wasn't by accident."

"So... what? You've been keeping tab on me the whole time?" My patience was thinning.

His jaw clenched, like he was finding the right words. His next words confused me more.

"You were never just a soldier, Sirius. There's more to you—more than you know."

" What? What are you trying to say? "

" I can't give you straight answers Sirius. I am sorry "

" The hell am I supposed to do with this? Dammit, Toby! Give me something. "

Anger was evident and obvious.

What Toby was telling me was as good as nothing. What was I supposed to do with these ridiculous riddles?

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" Alright listen, what do you remember about your mother?What do you remember about your childhood, about your family? "

He asked, his voice low. Maybe he understood the frustration I was feeling as well.

" My family? " I asked back, confirming if I heard right. I wasn't expecting him to ask me anything like that. I was more expectant for answers by his side.

He didn't say anything and just nodded.

I fell into deep thoughts.

There wasn't really a family to begin with;

all I had was my mother.

Her name was Allysanne. It was.. it is a beautiful name.

She was full of kindness. Her gentle nature made me feel like I was embraced by the mother nature herself. Or maybe i actually was.

She had beautiful brown eyes that always seemed to understand. Her black hair framed her face perfectly.

She brought comfort with her laughter and warmth with her touch. Being around her felt safe and loving.

She never discussed anything about our lineage, neither the paternal nor the maternal. And I was just a kid to ask something related to blood and kin. I had no idea these words existed. I didn't even know familial ties existed except for my mother.

As for my father? I had no recollection of him. For as long as I could remember there was no father figure in my life.

I tried asking my mother about him but she'd always dodge the question. I'd guess he must have died early on.

I didn't have any other family member either. It was just me and my mother, until it wasn't.

She died young as well, I was just 7-8 when she succumbed to death.

She died of an illness. Her health started deteriorating, and soon she was bed ridden.

I cared for her through long weeks, until she took her last breath in my arms.

Her last words still embedded in my soul

" Live a happy life "

I remember crying for days. It felt like I was drowning in a sea with nothing but darkness all around.

It was suffocating and I was helpless. The water was rushing in from all sides, pushing me deeper into the abyss.

Breathing became a troublesome task and my body didn't felt mine. I was caged inside my own skin.

My heart ached and little me couldn't comprehend the feeling . I only felt it, a weight pressing down, heavy and relentless.

But time stops for none, and just days later, I had nothing to eat. Our home wasn't really a house, it was a makeshift shelter in some woods. So with no money and no food, I was left alone to survive.

The world has always been a cruel place. There's not much place for grief and emotions. Soon I had to look for work, to earn some money so that I can atleast eat.

She told me to live a happy life, in order to be happy in future, I had to live now. So I did.

Rest of my childhood wasn't that special either. I looked for work, earned some money and tried to survive.

If there was a silver lining, it was the fact that I was learning a lot. I knew how to read and write, so I wasn't limited to just physical work.

I found my solace in work.

" So what do you remember? Anything special?" Toby's voice brought me back.

" Nothing particular comes to my mind. " I replied while shaking my head.

" Boy! " He snapped. His voice sharp,

" Your mother left you with nothing? A letter? A locket? Any fucking thing? "

It was weird for him to get agitated for something unrelated to him. Was he searching for something my mother had left behind? And he hoped that I know of it?

I could have asked but I understood well when to speak, and when to remain silent.

" Well if she did, i would certainly remember, won't I?" I replied back coldly.

" Tsk. Allysanne did a poor job raising you, that's for sure. " He retorted with a light tone, maybe realising his odd behaviour earlier.

" I will tell you what I can. "

"Should have done the same initially." I muttered.

He chose to ignore me and continued,

" Your mother and I, we knew each other quite well. " He said

" I knew it. " I interrupted, cutting him off.

He silently met my eyes and glared at me. I didn't mind, and gestured him to carry on .

" We had known each other since childhood. She was - "

There was a little pause before he continued,

" she was my bestfriend . We played together, shared meals and fought often as well."

A subtle smile caught his face, it was both nostalgic and sad.

" Your mother and I went parted ways nearly a decade before you were born. I got to know about her death only much later , and I felt guilty for not being there for her. "

His voice was shaky, and full of regret. " So I seached for you. But when I finally found you, you were alone.. again. You had just awakened; shocked and traumatised by death of your friend. I was reluctant to leave you in that state and thus scouted your for the job. "

He looked in my eyes, his gaze searching for something; perhaps the remnants of my mother.

" How did you get to know about her death?"

"I overheard a conversation between some locals. They mentioned a woman fitting her description who had fallen into despair. It took me some time to piece it together, but I sensed it was her " He responded. His eyes darting left and right, as to avoid mine.

I wasn't really satisfied with the answer. It felt off, how could Toby piece that together so easily?

I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Toby's knowledge, something hidden beneath the surface.

" It's hard for someone to hide completely when they're tied to a lineage like hers. " He continued.