So, we all know that I don't own the characters and I certainly aren't profiting from any of this. It's all J.K's.

…

Density.

Chapter One- The Beginning, again.

He had watched the three friends he had met on the train all get sorted into Gryffindor, and he tried to stop the heavy disappointment rest in his belly as he finally took his turn beneath the ancient, battered hat. A voice filled his head.

"Well, well, well, I see something in you, mister Black, something that makes a you a little more interesting than those that sat here before you…"

"Interesting?" Sirius wondered.

"Yes… different. I'm not sure that Slytherin will be the best place for you… I think you could do quite well for yourself somewhere else. Somewhere…"

"Different." Sirius' thoughts finished the sentence for him.

"You sound just like the others. Do you have a problem with different, boy?"

"Mother would kill me…" He ignored the sting that threatened oncoming tears.

"Very well, if you must be like them…"

"SLYTHERIN!"

With that Sirius Black took his place at the Slytherin house table, refusing himself a glance towards the boys who looked on, disappointed, from the far table.

…

Soon Sirius was immersed in school work and the strange and rigid social structure within Slytherin house. His family's name and blood-status afforded him some instant respect despite his age. In later years it would combine with his abilities and quick tongue to put him at the head of the pack; a dangerous place to be when James Potter and his cronies were out to play.

It was sixth year and Sirius was wandering the halls of the castle unable to sleep. "Lookie here… It's a snake come crawling out of its hidey hole." James' voice echoed around Sirius. A shadow to Sirius' left moved, the long-haired boy aimed a nasty curse at it only to discover that it was a decoy. Within seconds Sirius was dangling upside down from the roof, his wand rolling across the floor until it came to rest at the battered left shoe of one Remus Lupin. The friendship they had started on the train had, over the years, become a long-standing feud and Sirius was caught alone.

"Come on James, let him down," Remus picked up the wand, "It's not only unfair, it's not even that much fun. He doesn't want this, I don't want it. It's getting late. You've got better things to do, don't you?" Remus looked at Sirius, offering him an encouraging grin.

Sirius took in the long, thin nose and the deep green eyes of the boy before him, his narrow hips and his neat, yet battered appearance. The thin hands held his wand gently, almost ready to hand it back to him.

"If I wanted help from a filthy mudblood like you I wouldn't deserve to be called a wizard! Now get your disgusting hands off my things or I might have to give you a few more scars to go with the ones you've already got!" Sirius spat.

Remus' eyes hardened and his mouth formed a thin, straight line.

"I tried to help you, you ignorant fucker. Now whatever happens to you is your own bloody fault. Never confuse mercy for weakness, not with what we all know is coming," Suddenly he was nose to nose with Sirius, his cheeks flushed and his eyes steel, "Now and later, when you're out doing that madman's bidding, I want you to remember that you could have done yourself a favour." He threw Sirius' wand at the wall and marched off to the corner. Sirius had forgotten about James until he stepped forward now, grinning like a maniac.

"What do you reckon, Moony? Pride comes before a fall… Rather poetic don't you think."

"Not really, James. Then again, what do I know? I can't think for all the filth in my veins."

…

They had had a rousing meeting, Sirius' head was still reeling from the words the Dark Lord had said, and the open praise he had given Sirius specifically. He and the other boys his age were in the powder room off the main ballroom at Grimmauld place. They were waiting with anticipation to have the Dark Mark bestowed upon them. Behind the nearby wooden door sat the entire assembly of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself, they had had a meeting, the Dark Lord giving a speech before sending the boys away while he spoke of things they weren't privy to- not yet. Finally the boys were called one by one, until just Sirius and Snape sat side by side. They remained silent. Sirius had never liked the other boy who seemed to resent Sirius for everything that had ever happened to him. Sirius didn't take it personally, Snape resented everyone. Snape in turn regarded Sirius with a chilly deference. They seemed about equal in almost all magical abilities, except for potions and transfiguration. Snape's abilities with potions were almost unbelievable and Sirius' natural abilities at transfiguration had turned quite a few teacher's heads. Now, it seemed it had also caught the attention of the Dark Lord himself. Snape was called into the next room. Sirius sat back in his chair and looked down at his hands his eyes wandering to his left arm, they ran over the pale, smooth skin of his forearm. There was one blemish, the scar from the night James Potter and the other boy had caught him unawares. The thin line ran from his elbow to his wrist. He wondered if it would be covered by the dark mark. Sirius thought of the green, serious eyes that had regarded him coldly as he lay on the ground when they were done dragging him around the floor of the Forbidden Forest. His arms and hands cut, his back sore and a myriad of unspeakable things in his hair. He also thought about how those eyes had looked when the boy, Remus, had regarded him in an almost friendly way. Sirius ran a finger along the scar, wondering why he would remember that, and why now? He didn't have to wonder long, he was soon called into the next room.

…

The Dark Lord stood at the far end of the room, the death eaters gathered into two sections, leaving a path down the middle. Silver masks glimmered beneath pitch black hoods as Sirius made his way forward. He had memorised the ceremony years ago.

"Who comes to the Dark Lord?" Voldemort demanded.

"It is I, Sirius Black."

"Why does he approach?"

"I wish to show my lord due deference, to engage in the fight for blood purity of the wizarding peoples as a fearless soldier. I wish to offer my sacred magics to this just cause. I wish to become your willing slave and servant to the greatness bigger than myself."

"Are you of pure blood?"

"I am, Lord."

"Are you of rightful mind?"

"I am, Lord."

"Have you bravery?"

"Much, Lord."

"Have you luck?"

"I will not need it, Lord. I have truth and conviction. I am equipped to combat the blood traitors and the impure."

"Kneel before your master."

Sirius went down on bended knee as Voldemort took hold of his left hand.

"This man is pure and brave. He has agreed to join the righteous and we welcome him to the fold. His talents and triumphs given to him by his birth will increase our own. We are glad to have one such as him." Voldemort turned Sirius' hand over, his bony fingers holding Sirius in a vice-like grip. The bone-white wand jabbed into Sirius' arm and he thought that the burning on his arm was creeping into his soul. Just when he thought it could get no worse it was over. He stood before Voldemort and was soon covered in a heavy, black cloak, his vision partially obscured by the mask that hid his face.

As Sirius Black took his place amongst the others he felt, for the first time, completely unremarkable. A small part of him railed against this, wasn't he supposed to feel somehow bigger? Wasn't he now complete? This was supposed to be the greatest day of his life, the beginning of the new day of the wizarding world, yet he felt hollow and empty and all he could think about were how different the thin hands that had held his wrist were to the ones that belonged to the green eyed boy. They had both left a mark on him but only one was supposed to matter.

…

A.N- Well, well, well… what will happen now? Were you shocked? Can anyone figure out what the hell the title means? Tune in next week, or more correctly, next chapter to find out!