This is not mine: I own nothing, nothing, nothing! Ashlee Simpson has the rights to the song: Bittersweet World.
So here is the newest story. It's basically a different point of view for Becoming Moony. I hope you like it. Remember: Reviews make my day! Flames are used to roast marshmallows.
There's a universal bottom line,
Everybody's in disguise.
Even You and I
Chapter One: Bittersweet World
"It's my birthday! Wake up, Reggie! It's my birthday!" Sirius Black, aged five, jumped up and down upon his little brother's bed. When tired blue eyes opened to look at his crazy sibling, Sirius plopped down next to him, gave him a wet kiss on the forehead and jumped off the bed to find someone else to bother.
Regulus Black, aged four, turned over and went back to sleep. It was only seven in the morning after all; there was plenty of time left to sleep.
Sirius stumbled down the stairs to where his early rising parents were inevitably waiting, "Mummy, it's my birthday!"
"Yes, Sirius." Walburga rolled her eyes and went back to making her morning tea. Sirius frowned and went to stand next to his father.
"Papa, it's my birthday!"
"Is it? And how old are you turning?" Orion peered over his spectacles at the spectacle that was known as Sirius.
"Yup! I'm five!" Sirius's smile came back as his father played along.
"Are you now?"
"Yup!"
"It's 'yes', Sirius." Walburga admonished, waving her teaspoon around.
"Oh, let the boy alone for today, Walburga, it is his birthday." The woman sniffed and returned to the Prophet. Sirius smiled at his father and rested his head on one great thigh. His father was a very large and brave man; Sirius wanted to be just like him when he grew up. Orion patted his eldest son's head gently, brushing through the knots he found.
Sirius sighed happily, there was only one other person he loved more than his father…his Uncle Alphie. The Floo activated and a tall man fell from the fireplace cursing.
"Uncle Alphie! You're here! You're here!" Sirius ran toward his favorite uncle. Alphard grinned and swung his nephew up into the air.
"Hey, Sirri-pie! How's the world treating ya?"
"Good." Sirius giggled happily and pressed his cheek against his uncle's chiseled jaw. Alphard hugged him tightly before setting him back on the floor.
"Morning, sister." Walburga sniffed disdainfully at the forced greeting. The stairs creaked and the occupants of the room turned to see Regulus coming down the stairs, blanket and all. "Reggie! Wake up, lad, and smell the bacon!"
"There's bacon?" came the sleepy reply.
Walburga jumped up, "If you want…Kreacher!"
Orion glanced at Alphard and rolled his eyes. Sirius laughed behind his hands, "Mummy, I want bacon too!"
"Quiet Sirius, your brother isn't used to such loudness this early in the morning, are you sweet?" Walburga cooed as she lifted Regulus to her hip.
Sirius pouted, "But it's my…"
"Birthday, yes, we know."
"Now, dear, don't be so hard on him. He's only a boy." Orion tried to soothe his wife, sensing a tantrum.
"Who cares, Orion! He's loud and obnoxious. Regulus is much weaker and needs his peace and quiet. As do we all."
Sirius wrapped a hand around Alphard's knee, not wanting to be there any longer. He didn't know he was hurting Reggie. Regulus looked as his mother, confused, he wasn't sick. At least, he didn't think he was.
/page break/
Sirius smiled as his Great Aunt Dorea hugged him. He liked Auntie Dory, she brought him candy and other treats, even if it wasn't his birthday or Christmas. Uncle Charlus patted him on the head briefly before going to speak to Alphard.
"Now, how old are you again, eleven? Twelve?"
"No, Auntie! I'm five!" Sirius giggled.
Dorea smiled and waved her hand flippantly, "Silly me. I must be getting old."
"You're not old, you've just matured slightly." Sirius gave his most innocent smile and felt a spark of happiness as his aunt laughed.
"Oh, but you are the cute one, aren't you? Going to be a heartbreaker, I can tell." Dorea gave Sirius one last hug, then stood and made her way to Grandmother Irma's side.
"Russi?" Sirius grinned as he felt a little hand slip into his own.
"Reggie?"
"Am I sick?"
Sirius frowned and put his hands on his brother's cheeks, "You don't look sick and you aren't hotter."
"Mummy says I'm fragile. Does that mean I'm sick?"
Sirius pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "No. Remember Reggie; you can do whatever you want to do, no matter what anyone else says. 'Kay?"
Regulus grinned and hugged Sirius tightly, "'Kay."
"Sirius! Regulus! Come and give your Aunt Druella a hug!" Both boys groaned as they thought of being smothered by the disgusting perfume and waxy lips.
"Just remember Reggie, smile and nod. We are very cute; everyone wants to be like us, that's why we're so popular. Besides, Aunt Druella and Uncle Cygnus don't have boys, they're not used to being normal."
"Right." Regulus nodded solemnly and the two boys turned, plastered smiles on their faces and went to greet their girly aunt.
Their cousins stood next to their mother, dressed to the nines. Bellatrix was very gothic in her pure black. Her long black hair was pinned at the sides and then dripped down her back, "like spilt ink" whispered Regulus. She glared at Sirius but reached down to pat Regulus on the head. She didn't like Sirius much, but it may have had something to do with Sirius slinging her bras out of the window at the neighbors the summer before. At fourteen, Bellatrix was very particular about her possessions. Bra slinging of any type was not permitted.
Andromeda was the best cousin in Sirius's opinion. Her hair was cropped into a cute bob and was styled neatly. It wasn't boring like Bella's ("Bellatrix, you twit!") and made her look very pretty. She was a lot more fun too. She liked to play Quidditch and climb trees. She didn't care much for studying either. Latin and French were too hard when the sun was shining.
Narcissa was a completely different story. She was definitely the most girly of the three. As the baby, her mother and father pampered her to no end. "She's more spoiled than us!" was the general consensus between the two brothers. But as the youngest girl she had 'special privileges' that no one else did.
"Hello, Sirius, Regulus. How are you today?"
"Fine, Aunt Druella. How are you?" The pointless politeness was beginning to grind on Sirius's young nerves. It was his birthday, he was five years old, he wanted to run and play!
"Mummy, may we go outside? I want to play!"
"Sirius, be a little more considerate to your guests. They are here for you after all."
"Okay, I guess." Sirius felt his shoulders slump. Bellatrix snickered into her glass. Regulus glared at her and Sirius felt better.
/page break/
Sirius stared in disgust at the 'presents' he had received. Books! Every single one was a book! Except for Uncle Alphie…the racing broom was the best present. He didn't want books! He wanted toys like Regulus. Regulus had tons of toys; every size, color, and shape you could imagine. And Sirius got books; it wasn't fair.
It wasn't as though he hadn't asked for certain things, he had. He had even written down where to find said items, why did he get books. His mother hadn't gotten him anything, but had gotten Regulus three toys! It wasn't even Regulus's birthday!
Sirius felt his eyes fill with tears…it wasn't fair, he though miserably. He was good, wasn't he? Maybe he really had hurt Reggie. Maybe his baby brother really was sick! He hadn't meant to!
"Russi? I can't sleep. Can I stay with you?" Regulus stood in the doorway with his blanket and Mr. Cuddles. Sirius didn't really feel like company, but what happened if Reggie felt bad and Sirius sent him away? He could get hurt worse! No, it was better to stick it out.
"Come on, Reggie." Sirius said, holding the blankets back so that Regulus could clamber up.
The two boys curled together, Mr. Cuddles between them. Their little hands twined and their breaths mingled. All you could see of the two was little tufts of black curls. Sirius kissed his brother's forehead as he fell asleep, he would take care of his little brother. Sirius would protect Reggie forever, even if it killed him.
A/N: Reviews make me happy!