The statute of nobility
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership to any of the brilliant works by JK Rowling.
Prologue
The Heroine
December 23,1966
Malfoy Manor
Peaking in between the rails of the iron banister was a young girl, eager to take a glimpse of her giant birthday cake especially made for her 7th birthday.
Dressed in an atrocious shade of canary yellow, Alexandra Malfoy's formal dress robes made her already pallid complexion even more paler that it already was. And despite the fact that her blond hair was tied in loose pigtails, a style which made her child like features even more prominent, these couldn't sway anyone into denying the fact that this young child would soon grow out of her shell and shall certainly become a woman with exquisite beauty some day.
Standing by her side was her brother, tall, blonde, handsome, five years her senior and had just recently came home from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry just in time to celebrate the holidays and the birthday of his young and beloved sister.
"Alexandra, you're going to fall off the banister if you persist on doing that." Lucius said in a stern tone, which was fit for a grown up despite being said by a 12 year old. He too was dressed in the same formal robes as her but instead of wearing the same shade of yellow, his robes proudly bore the colors of the House of Slytherin.
"But - it's my cake. And I want to eat it right now." Alexandra began to demand as she focused all her attention on the 3 foot pastry masterpiece below her.
"Well if you behave and do as you're told, you'll get a slice soon enough." Lucius instructed his sister, his eyes holding a significant amount of fondness towards her.
"But I want it now!" Alexandra whined and complained as little tears began to well up and were now falling slowly on her fat and rosy cheeks.
Lucius took a deep breath as he masked his frustrations of having to deal with his brat of a sister. None the less, she was better off with him rather than with their mother, who was yet again busy soothing the none existent creases on her dress robes to even notice that the birthday celebrant was missing from her side.
Glancing around, he took notice of the lavishly decorated interior of the manor that screamed Yuletide season. This included the sitting room which was now slowly beginning to be filled with newly arrived guests, who in turn carried with them brightly colored boxes adorned with ribbons and cards. Yet no significant amount of decorations or people could hide the absence of their father, Abraxas Malfoy.
Bending down on his knees in order to see her eye to eye, Lucius pulled out a starch white handkerchief from his breast pocket and began to wipe away the crocodile tears.
"Say what, if you could survive the next hour with a big smile on your face, we could eat a huge chunk of cake in the kitchens. Agreed?" Lucius asked confidently. He knew all too well that she'd agree to all his demands.
What answered him back was an image of an angel wearing a bright smile, for she was fully satisfied with the promise she was given.
"You know how it goes, big smiles, be polite and -" Lucius began to say as he extended his arm for little Alexandra to take as they both descended the well lighted mahogany staircase.
Carrying herself with as much poise as a seven year old could, she gave her nervous brother a wide smile showing off to the world her array of missing teeth.
Alexandra then continued for him in a heartbeat" and look as pretty as I can. I know I don't have to try as hard, I know that I'm the prettiest girl in the whole wide world."
"Yes you are Alexandra yes you are." Lucius commented with an amused smile as he couldn't surmise the wit his sister possessed even at a young age.
As the cameras started flashing, Alexandra's confidence grew even more knowing well enough that her pictures would land the headlines of tomorrow's Daily Prophet. She too was gladden by the fact that at the corner, two house elves were busy restocking the pile high presents that were threatening to fall any minute.
After sending their warm greetings, the crowd soon eased their way into the ballroom just adjacent to the sitting room. As the room started to thin out, Alexandra's impatience began to grow as she waited for the last guests to arrive.
"One more family Alexandra." came a voice in her head.
Without looking neither surprised nor frightened, Alexandra answered back calmly."They better be worth the wait because I'm starving."
The sound that broke through their silent conversation however was not the sound of a human tone but it was in fact the elfish voice of their loyal servant, Delton.
"Presenting to the Lord and Lady of the manor, the Noble house of Black. Orion Black is accompanied by Mistress Walburga and their son Regulus Black.
Upon their entrance, the head of Black manor shook the Malfoy heir's waiting hand and in return Lucius bid him and his family to enjoy the rest of the night. His wife in turn handed a small box, which was adorned with precious stones, to the celebrant who happily handed the expensive gift to the waiting hands of another house elf.
"If you could proceed to the ballroom, the celebrations would start shortly." Lucius politely said as he assumed the role that his father had allegedly promised to play.
"Are you still expecting more guests following our wake?" Orion asked the young Malfoy, his tone lined with boredom. It was as if he had more pressing matters to attend to rather than being present at a children's party.
"You are the last-" Lucius replied passively but was caught in mid sentence when a ruckus by the fireplace caught his attention.
Lying with his face flat on the floor was a boy roughly Alexandra's age and by the looks of the Blacks' fuming expressions, it seemed to be that the late arrival was in fact their other son.
Two house elves came scurrying by his side in order to pull the young master up but was brushed aside by the boy in an instant.
Despite the soot covering him from head to toe, his handsome features were not dulled out by the dirt all over him. Like his brother, he too had the same lanky build and glossy black hair.
As he dusted away the dirt off his dark purple robes he began to explain his tardiness to the host and hostess who seemingly were waiting for an explanation.
"I'm sorry for being late, it seemed like my door was bolted accidentally." he said as he angrily glared at his brother who in turn posed with an innocent charade. It was a look that both their parents bought too easily.
But what came next shocked everyone present and neither both families could have prepared themselves for the side effects that would soon come after.
"Look brother, it's a walking eggplant." Alexandra gleefully commented as she pointed with her short and stubby fingers towards the boy who was now howling in laughter caused by her retort.
"Alexandra!" Lucius said in a furious tone. "You don't say such comments in front of guest!"
"That is seriously funny." Sirus began to say, ignoring the stern comment of Lucius.
And with his hand outstretched, Sirus continued on "And I'm no eggplant, I'm Sirus Black."
The Hero
June 30,1977
Number 12 Grimmauld Place
Inside one of the rooms of Number 12 Grimmauld place, a bruised and injured Sirus Black grimaced in pain as he tried to take another breath. His brow was beginning to be filled with sweat as he carefully eased himself on his four poster bed.
Sirus tired his best to relax and to gain control of his labored breathing. He then eagerly closed his eyes hoping desperately for sleep to consume him.
But barely a minute passed by when his eyes shot wide open, when another throbbing pain shot up his side. It was there he realized that the chances of him getting a decent sleep tonight were slim to none.
The 17 year old cursed himself for being an idiot and for have not having listened to his best friend's advice to browse through some books in order to learn some or at least one healing spell.
Limping slightly, he made his way to the door and began to checked for any signs of movement hoping that he in fact was the only person in the lone hallway.
It was as if that very moment, the gods were smiling down on him as he successfully made his way on the second landing without being caught.
Or so he thought he did. As soon as he reached out for a handful of powder in the floo room, his brother decided to make an appearance leaving him with no choice but to act quickly.
For a split second he was forced to make a decision. And that was to choose between his two options which was either A. make a run for it or B. stun the spying git and make a run for it. Although the first idea would cause him lesser punishments, it didn't seem too plausible for he was in no shape to 'make a run for it'.
"Hello dear brother." Sirus said dryly "Nosing into other people's business again? You were always a tattle tale but I didn't know you were a snoop as well."
Reaching for his back pockets, his slim fingers began to tighten its grip on his wand ready to throw a stunning spell towards his brother if needed.
"There is no need to hex me brother. I'm not here to stop you." Regulus calmly pointed out to him, knowing his brother too well and how he dealt with situations such as this.
"I came to tell you that mother's out of it and is 'sleeping off' a bad cold. And father and I would be out for the remainder of the night and would probably be back just before dawn breaks." Regulus finished.
"I - " Sirus began to stutter out but covered his embarrassment by coughing. But there was one thing that flawed his plan and that was the mere existence of his broken ribs. His act caused his ribs to puncture his side even more.
"You're welcome." Regulus answered in a cocky tone, feeling all too pleased with himself for the good deed he had done.
Stepping inside the dust covered fireplace, Sirus wasted no time in throwing the floo powder down, just so he could leave everything behind him even for one night. No goodbyes were said and in a matter of seconds, he was gone leaving nothing in his wake.
"I never told on you, you got caught on your own." Regulus whispered at nothing before finally exciting the floo room and headed towards the direction of his own bedroom.
Regulus quickly reached the entryway of his sanctuary after taking long and wide strides just to get there faster.
As the door creaked open, what greeted him was not the sight of his prefect badge on his bedside table nor was it the brand new broom sitting on his carpeted floor but what really caught his attention tonight was the object lying on his bed.
It was made out of fine silk and was tailored to fit him perfectly. But what made it far different from his other robes were its color and the choices he seemingly had to make clad in it.
The Hero and the Heroine
June 30,1977
The Malfoy Manor
Alexandra Malfoy was busy running a brush through her blonde hair when the many images of what her future would look like flashed through her mind.
They weren't lying when they said that the lives of a lot of people was riding on the decision that she was about to make tonight. Not that she was ready to make any, but being a Malfoy neither gave her the freedom nor the choice to lead a life she'd always wanted for herself.
But there wasn't enough time to dwell on the future for she only had briefly 10 minutes to get ready and leave the safety and security of her quarters.
Alexandra Malfoy after years of awkward adolescence had now had finally became a young lady boasting with ethereal beauty. As an upcoming socialite of the entire Wizarding society, it was expected of her that she at all times dress with elegance suited for a well bred pureblood. Yet for night this wasn't the case.
Being clad in one of the least glamorous yet most comfortable navy blue robes she owned, Alexandra was ready to go. Yet her plans were momentarily put on hold when a groaning figure came emerging from her fire place and was staggering his way at the inviting four poster in front of him.
"Sirus what on earth happened on you." Alexandra asked worriedly as she rushed by his side and helped him onto her bed.
"A few broken bones and maybe an injured spleen." Sirus explained through a forced smile as he gritted his teeth in pain.
"You really do have the perfect timing." Alexandra replied sarcastically. "With 5 minutes to spare as a matter of fact."
"You have more important things to do than to tend to your injured best friend?" Sirus angrily replied as he tried to sit as still as he could.
"Let me remind you that in contrary to what you think, the whole world doesn't revolve around you. I too have a life so get over yourself. Now take off your shirt and let me see the damage." Alexandra instructed him sternly as she rummaged through her drawers and pulled out a vial of potion she had just brewed a few nights ago.
"You know what, I'll go somewhere else. I know when I'm not wanted here. And I don't need you." Sirus said as he stood up slowly and staggered his way back to the place that he had emerged from earlier. Yet upon seeing Alexandra's face filled with anger, he immediately regretted the words that came out of his mouth.
But they both knew he was lying. For in reality, this would be one of the several times in his life where he would be needing her the most.
"So where are you planning to go? To your mother so she could afflict more injuries to you. Or to James so he could worsen the already nasty shape you are already in?"Alexandra said in an irritated tone as she gently pushed him back to bed and eased him slowly out of his shirt.
"I-, will-,go" Sirus trailed on as he dug through his mind in order to come up with the best retort to send back to her. But his mind failed him once again for it was dulled out from the intense pain he was currently feeling.
After a few protest and grimaces coming from Sirus side, Alexandra had managed to finally take off the shirt that was hiding all the evidence of what Sirus had to go through tonight.
Through the many years of being friend with Sirus, she had gained accustomed to healing him from the random injuries he had attained from recklessness, stupidly and from punishments both deserved and uncalled for. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the extent of his abrasions coursing through his body tonight.
Despite the familiarity they had with each other, she still felt quite awkward as she allowed her hands to freely roam his mangled up torso. Her embarrassment was left unnoticed for Sirus had closed his eyes and was imaging himself to be lying on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean coast just so he could distract himself from the torture he was going through.
After an intensive search, she then totaled the number of broken ribs he had. It was a sum quite greater than what she was used to seeing on him, Six.
And aside from his punctured bones, his well muscular chest and back were also filled with black and blue bruises. And from the looks of it, there probably would a great chance of him incurring an internal bleeding from the ordeal he had gone through. He truly was in a bad shape.
Alexandra's expression soften as she applauded Sirus' ability to tolerate pain quite well. Muttering a few healing spells, the once distorted bones were now back to their original place and hopefully was healing quite well.
Sirus immediately felt a slight relief and was gladden by the fact that he could lie on his back without flinching. Without any questions asked, he took a cup from Alexandra's outstretched hand and drank all of its contents in one setting. He, after all trusted her with his life.
As his eyes started to droop, he distinctly heard her Alexandra say "Rest and I'll be back soon."
With Sirus' muscular chest finally rising and falling rhythmically, Alexandra immediately knew that he was fast sleep and wouldn't wake for at least another couple of hours. She was gladden to know that even with just a few hours of rest, he could get he peace he long needed.
But for Alexandra Malfoy on the other hand, there certainly was no turning back. Her nightmares were materializing out of thin air and were now becoming a reality.
And to the sound asleep Sirus Black, he missed the very image of his best friend clad in the robes that would soon haunt and ruin the lives of many muggles, mudbloods, and blood traitors that would cross paths with her in the near future.
And the story begins...
A/N: So what did you guys think? Please click that button down there and review It would most certainly be appreciated.