Thank you QueenSword, 221authoronbakerst, wolfgurlaa, and SilhouettesInDarkness for reviewing my story and encouraging me to write more. Sorry, it took so long. This one goes out to you.


An extended invitation

"Two weeks at Grimmauld Place?" I asked my father not quite sure I heard him right.

"Yeah, for the Christmas holiday. They usually invite the Malfoys, but this year they invited us. Isn't that exciting?" My father beamed looking as if he might jump out of his robes.

"Of course, but why? We usually just spend a weekend there. What about your parents?" I asked reminding him of our usual Christmas plans hoping he would cancel with the Blacks. My stomach turned remembering what happened with Sirius months before.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me. I have to call and cancel with them. Send out our gifts. So much to do. Sweetheart pack your things then get to bed we leave in the morning." And with that, he left me in a state of frenzied panic.

I could barely sleep that night. I had packed almost my entire wardrobe but still felt inadequately prepared. Though I was happy with my chosen attire for this morning I was painfully aware of the effect my restless night had on my face. I smeared a number of creams on my face all of which claimed to have magical abilities to 'mask your restless nights.'

"Megara, are you up? We're going to be late!" My mother yelled bursting through my door.

"Yes, mum. I was only trying to hide these." I told her, pointing to the bags under my eyes.

"You look fine, there's nothing to hide." She said sounding stressed.

"Mum. Why did the Blacks suddenly ask us to spend Christmas with them? I know we're friends, but they've never been this friendly, at least not with us." I asked her trying to not sound suspicious.

"I don't know, but this is a good thing, so don't ask too many questions and be polite. I don't want anything like what happened at the Abbots." She warned referring to my outburst with the head of the Abbot house the previous summer. "It's ridiculous how impulsive you can be sometimes. You know how important our connections are."

"I know, I'm sorry," I said hoping this would put an end to the issue.

"Just try not to speak unless you're spoken too, alright. And be friendly to their boys." She said waving off my apology.

"I thought you didn't want me talking to Sirius?" I challenged, hating the restrictions she gave me.

"You can talk to him, but I don't want you two getting close to each other. And I especially don't want you alone with him. You should hear the way he speaks to Walburga. The people he chooses to associate with, it's no wonder. Just be cautious when you're around him and don't let him fill your head with his silly ideas." She ranted ushering me out of my bedroom and down the stairs. "Now Regulus would be good for you. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

"Darling, please, it's too early for her to be thinking about boys." My father ordered, annoyance thickening his voice.

"She's almost of marrying age, it's high time she started thinking about boys. Black would be perfect for her." My stomach rose to my throat. I knew this day was coming but I never thought it would be so soon. I looked to my father not knowing what my face portrayed, unfortunately, he only sighed at me and continued down the stairs.

We arrived by portkey. The door creaked open moments after our landing with seemingly no one there to have opened it.

"Must be their house elf." My father said confidently before ascending the stone steps. My mother and I followed silently behind him.

"Mr and Mrs Hasley, how was your journey? Not too tiring I hope." Sirius's brother - Regulus I believe his name was - beamed as he greeted my parents.

"Not at all, my boy. Thank you." My father answered taking his hand.

"I'm glad to hear it. Allow me to take your cloaks and I'll show you to the drawing room, you can leave your baggage here." They exchanged pleasantries as per usual. I stayed silent as ordered, taking the opportunity to search for the other brother who had yet to show himself.

"All right, Meg?" Regulus asked in a low voice as we trailed behind my parents.

"I'm great, thanks. How 'bout you?" I grinned.

"Fine. You excited for Christmas?" He continued his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, of course. Best holiday in my opinion."

"I agree." He replied pausing outside the entrance of the drawing room. "I suppose you're looking for Sirius?" He asked after my parents were at a safe distance away.

"Why would I-"

"I saw you in the drawing room at the end of the summer party. Don't worry I won't say anything." He paused glancing to make sure our parents were well enough entertained. "He's still at Hogwarts, expected to arrive later tonight. Said something about extra studying. But listen, Meg. I'm sure my mother would be thrilled to find that my brother is involved with another pureblood, but I have to ask that you don't make your political opinions known for both your sake and his." His voice was barely audible and rushed.

"What? How would you know what my political opinions are?"

"My brother would not have taken an interest in you if you did not agree with him on certain issues. And the Abbot incident is… well known. That's why I'm asking you to be cautious. My mother will be watching you, closely. Subtilty is not my brother's strong suit so I'm hoping that you will be able to bring some balance to that." He looked down at me nervously.

"So, to be clear, you want me to stay silent while trying to control you brother?" I asked suppressing my laughter.

"Not control, distract when the moment requires it."

"Regulus, dear, what are you two talking about? We'd like to join the conversation." His mother's voice called out to us.

"She was just asking if I was ready for my O.W.L's, mum," Regulus called back leading me into the drawing room with a smile on his face.

"Oh that's right, you took your O.W.L's last year, didn't you? How did you do?" She asked me, leaning further back haughtily in her chair, resting her head on the tips of her fingers.

"Well enough I suppose," I answered taking the seat next to my father.

"Oh, she's being modest. She got outstanding in nearly all of her classes. Only an E in Potions broke the streak." My mother beamed proudly.

"Oh, Regulus is excellent at potions. I'm sure he'll get an outstanding. You should hear his potions master rave about him. Even let him join his little club, what was it, Reggie?"

"The Slug Club." He answered.

"What sort of club is that?" My mother asked stiffly.

"Professor Slughorn gathers students who he believes to be talented and we have dinner parties and different things. It encourages the unity of the houses, among other things." He explained. "I'm sure he would invite Meg to join if she went to school with us. That many outstandings would not go unnoticed."

My mother beamed at his assurance. His mother smiled curtly.

Sirius did arrive later that night. His house elf went to get him. He was dressed in muggle clothes and seemed to be in a bit of a mood. His mother put on a brave face but her pleasant tone and masked expression didn't hide the fire burning in her eyes when she first saw him. He ducked quickly up the stairs, gesturing for me to follow. I didn't because I didn't know how to get away from our parents without raising suspicion.

He came back, just in time for dinner in wizard dress robes and sent me a quizzical look. I smiled shortly and looked away, feeling my mother's gaze. We were seated next to each other in the dining hall, me sitting between each brother and my parents in front of me. There were others but I couldn't identify them.

"Why didn't you come?" Sirius whispered as he passed the peas.

"Why did you assume I would?" I decided to play with him. It seemed the better option than admitting my own cowardice. I heard him chuckle softly.

"Should I have written?" He cocked an eyebrow, seeming to find something cute.

"God no!" I laughed loudly. I looked wide-eyed around the room, fearing that I had gained an audience but the only one who noticed us was Regulus. He sent me a warning glance, reminding me of what he had said earlier and returned to his conversation. Sirius's hand fell on my knee, drawing circles with his middle finger. I instantly regretted not wearing tights under this skirt as goosebumps rose on my naked skin.

"You're afraid of getting caught," he laughed leaning in close, his fingers edged slightly up my thigh.

"No, I'm not," I said but my eyes betrayed me. They flicked quickly across the room, making sure that no one noticed us.

"They don't care. They're too involved with themselves to notice what we do." It wasn't just his fingers now. His entire hot and heavy hand was rested against my thigh, grazing the edge of my skirt. "We could test it," he whispered, his pinky slipping under the hem.

I moaned in response and my thighs closed instantly. It wasn't a loud moan but it was clearly audible, however, not even Regulus seemed to notice. So, I let my legs fall open and I smiled at him, wickedly. His eyes darkened as his hand slide further up my thigh. The danger of the situation seemed to excite us both. He moved my pants aside, slid his fingers from my opening to my clit, and rubbed it using the perfect amount of pressure, instantly causing my breath to hitch. He laughed as I gripped the sides of my chair in an attempt to stay quiet. He moved downward, pressing his fingers against my opening. I knew that if he went further I would not be able to control myself so I gripped his wrist stopping his movement.

"How bout this?" He whispered, dipping a finger from his free hand into his gravy and licking it off all the while his other fingers twiddled against my folds like he was a pianist. "If you don't keep a straight face, I'll go deeper."

He pressed the tips of his two longest fingers in and continued their twiddling. I tightened the hold I had on his wrist, my nails almost breaking the skin, and cleared my throat covering a moan. He grinned and cocked an eyebrow threateningly. I straightened my stance and composed my expression with a haughty reciprocating smile. Sirius's grin widened and his eyes flashed wickedly.

"Mr Halsey, would you pass the bread rolls please," he asked my father of all people. I felt the blood drain from my face as his hold on me tightened, a needless reminder that he was there.

"Megara are you alright? You're looking terribly pale," Mrs Black asked with not an ounce of concern in her voice but instead, there was humour.

"Oh, I'm fine," I smiled back at her, my eyes lowering shyly. Apparently, this was not what Sirius considered to be keeping a straight face. He plunged his fingers in deeper, moving to the second knuckle. They curled inside of me, searching for that sweet spot. I stuffed my face with sweet potatoes to cover my moan. "These are really good," I groaned, causing Sirius to go deeper. I went dead still, refusing to give him the satisfaction of watching me come undone in front of our parents and a handful of strangers. I couldn't stop myself from clenching around his fingers needily.

"I'll have to give your mother the recipe," said Mrs Black. I smiled tightly in response. I had assumed that Sirius's next step would be adding another finger. Instead, he thrust his fingers in and out and used his thumb to circle my clit again.

I couldn't take it. I pushed him off and stood. My legs feeling like wet noodles I had to use the back of my chair to keep balance. The sudden motion had gained me the attention I was so afraid of when this had first started. All startled and expectant eyes were on me.

"I'm sorry I just really have to use the lavatory," I said and turned intending on running out of the dining hall.

"Do you know where it is?" Sirius asked, moving his chair back to block my path.

"I'm sure I can find it," I said, tightly. I wanted to slap him and jump his bones simultaneously. It was infuriating.

"I'll show you," he shrugged, making to stand.

"Sirius," Mrs Black said in a low threatening voice.

Sirius froze, sat back down, moved his chair very slightly back toward the table: "May I be excused, to show Miss Halsey to the lavatory?"

"We have Kr-"

"You're excused," Mr Black said, sternly interrupting his wife. Mrs Black looked shocked and slightly crestfallen at her husband but said nothing. Sirius stood, quickly pushed in his chair, and ushered me out of the room.