The books that littered the shelves of the headmaster's office were dusty and worn. So the old man likes to read it seems…how very…fitting.

"I'm very disappointed in you Mr Black"

It's a good thing I don't hold your opinion in that high a regard then isn't it Sir.

Silence was often the best option for Sirius Black at times like these, better than the alternative of airing his thoughts for public display anyway. His silence however seemed in this instance to wind the old headmaster up even more.

"You're actions tonight have been both thoughtless and dangerous, displaying an utter disregard for your fellow students safety and wellbeing"

Dumbledore looked expectantly at the young, black-haired youth in front of him. He was not used to such disobedience from his pupils, but Mr Black has always been the exception. He never listened to anyone, not completely anyway. Dumbledore had always believed that the boy's transgressions were merely the result of an unfavourable home environment. He had always mistakenly assumed that with time his misconduct would lessen as he got older, but it seemed that ageing had only increased his potential for recklessness. There was no denying that Sirius Black was a volatile loose canon, and Dumbledore was at a wits end as to what to do with the boy.

"Sirius, this has to stop, I can't allow you to continue to make a mockery of this institution. I understand that given your home situation-"

"With all due respect Sir, it's getting quite late as it is, and I have class early tomorrow, so perhaps you could just tell me what my punishment is to be and I can be on my way"

Sirius was never a patient boy, and this conversation was not one he wished to prolong. Dumbledore getting into his business was not something he ever looked forward too, and this time was no exception.

Dumbledore's cerulean eyes looked in earnest at his counterparts grey eyes, hoping perhaps to see some shred of remorse for his earlier actions. All he found was boredom and resentment. The boy is always so angry

"Very well Mr Black, a month of detention with Mr Filch, 65 house points and you are to write an apology to Mr Snape, one which will need to be cited by your head of house"

Sirius Black simply nodded in understanding before calmly standing and making his way to the door.

"That boy is no good Dumbledore, always knew something was off with him" the portrait of Phineas said disdainfully as the door to his office slammed shut.

As Sirius shuffled slowly in the direction of Gryffindor Tower, he thought about the conversation he had had with his headmaster,

Well lecture really since I didn't really say much

Sirius Black never really did say much; he always felt it to be more prudent to keep ones thoughts to themselves. He had learnt this lesson at a very young age when his Uncle Alphard had felt the need to argue with his mother about Muggle rights, before he could finish his thoughts he had been banished from the house and burnt off the family tree.

Sirius had always liked Uncle Alphard and while he himself held many of the same views regarding the rights of Muggles, he didn't have the luxury of expressing his opinions. Not when he was still very much at the liberty of his family's provision. So Sirius always played the part of the spoilt, rich, arrogant pure-blood he had been raised to be. Only his brothers, his real brothers, not by blood but by something far more important, knew who he was.

They were all that really mattered to Sirius, it was only their opinion which he held to any esteem, it was only their advice he would ever listen to, and it was only they who he expressed his true self to.

And their approval and understanding was all Sirius ever needed.

Sometimes though, when Sirius would be alone, lying in his bed, trying to sleep, he would wonder where the part he was acting ended and where he really began. He would wonder whether the blurs and inconsistencies in his personality were visible to everyone around him. He would wonder when his parents would find out what he is, a filthy blood traitor if anything, and what the outcome would be.

In these thoughts Sirius would entertain the possibility of standing up to his parents like Alphard had, of making his beliefs be known. But for all his Gryffindor bravery, Sirius was afraid, afraid of what he would have if his true brothers ever left him, of what they would say if they knew how scared and weak and 'unbrave' Sirius really was, because they were so inherently good, in a way that Sirius was afraid he never had the potential to really be.