chapter 4

The hospital staff continued to tend to Edward's injuries, their hushed conversations filled with sympathy for the battered child. As Edward slowly regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by the unfamiliar faces of nurses and healers.

One of the nurses spoke gently to Edward, her voice filled with compassion, "You're safe now, dear. We're going to make you feel better."

Edward, still groggy and in pain, nodded weakly. He clung tightly to the pouch of stolen coins, a reminder of the harrowing events of the night.

Sirius Black stood at a distance, watching over the boy. His grey eyes displayed a mix of concern and determination. He knew he couldn't stay much longer, as his duties as an Auror called him elsewhere.

Before he left, he approached Edward once more.

"Hey, kid," Sirius said gently. "How are you feeling?"

Edward hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I... I've never been in a place like this before."

Sirius nodded understandingly. "It's a hospital. They're here to help you get better. You're safe now, and they're taking care of you."

Edward, still groggy and in pain, managed a weak smile. "Thank you... for helping me."

"You take care, kid. Remember, there are people out there who care about you. You're not alone in this world."

Edward looked up at Sirius with a mixture of gratitude and awe. "Thank you, sir. I won't forget this."

Sirius gave him a reassuring nod before turning to leave, but just as he was about to step away, Edward reached out and grabbed his hand. Sirius turned back to look at the young boy.

"Sir, it would be rude for me to ask this, but can you please help my brother? He's suffering from a disease, and we need a lot of money. That's why I steal money, just for him. I love him. I can do anything for him. Please help him. I can be your servant, I can be your slave, I can do anything. But please help him," Edward pleaded desperately for his brother's well-being.

Sirius was taken aback by the intensity of Edward's plea and the genuine love he showed for his younger brother. Memories of his own brother flickered in his mind, a bond he had once cherished before running away from home.

A warm smile spread across Sirius's face as he crouched down to Edward's level. "You're a good brother, Edward. But there are better ways to provide for your family. I'm not here to judge. Everyone deserves a second chance."

Tears welled up in Edward's eyes as he confessed, "You're different from the others. Most people hate me, and I don't know why."

"Tell me, kid," Sirius began, his tone gentle. "There are organizations that can help children like you and your brother. You don't have to bear this burden alone."

Edward hesitated, then revealed a painful memory. "Sir, my mother was ill, and she got some medicines from a similar organization. But after taking those medicines, she didn't heal and died soon after. Since then, we don't trust any kind of organization."

Sirius nodded in understanding. He had heard of corrupt organizations, and he knew the boy had reason to be cautious.

"So how about this?" Sirius suggested, his voice kind. "You and your brother can live with me until we can find a good organization to help you both."

Edward's eyes shone with disbelief and gratitude. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Thank you for helping me and my brother."

Sirius chuckled at Edward's enthusiasm, and before he left, he requested, "Now, tell me where your brother is so I can go pick him up and take him to the hospital to get him fixed."

Edward's eyes gleamed with hope. "Sir, I don't know the address, but I remember it. I can show you. I can show you."

Sirius placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Hey, hey, hey. Calm down, kid. Calm down. Just do one thing. Think about it, okay? Think about that place. Think about that location. I'll go and pick up your brother. Just think about that place."

As Edward closed his eyes and concentrated on the memory of their home, Sirius used his wand to extract the location from the boy's thoughts.

"Now, stay here and don't move, okay?" Sirius instructed. "I'll go and take your brother and bring him to the hospital. Don't worry. Rest properly, and recover soon. After that, I can take both of you to my home, and there we can find a good organization that can help you."

Edward nodded eagerly as Sirius turned and walked away, a sense of hope igniting within him. Sirius was determined to reunite the two brothers and offer them a chance for a better life.

With newfound resolve, Sirius set out to find Albert and bring him to the hospital where he could receive the medical care he so desperately needed.