Chapter Two
How to Train a Progeny
Warning: This chapter has mentions of child abuse.
xxxoooxxx Sirius xxxoooxxx
As he was growing up, Sirius always felt as though he just didn't fit in. He never tried to be 'different' or 'rebellious' as his parents always claimed he was; it just always seemed to turn out that way.
The Black family was very large and stretched back many generations. No one could ever give him a straight answer on just how old the family was, but they always seemed to imply that they were the oldest wizarding family in the world. So naturally, Sirius had a lot of uncles, a lot of aunts, a lot of cousins, and a lot of other relatives he didn't know what they were. Fourth cousins twice removed, aunts-in-laws, step-grandmothers thrice removed, great-uncle-brothers, and the like.
It seemed as though there were always family reunions and parties going on at either Grimmauld Place, where Sirius grew up, or at another relative's house. All the adults always seemed to be having a good time and would all somehow know each other. He couldn't understand how so many people could remember all those other people's names let alone their pet's names and where they went on vacation each year.
Sirius remembered just about no one's name and, if he was honest, he didn't really care to. He had no interest in finding anything out about a single one of his nagging, stuck-up relatives. They were all insane, self-absorbed and downright rude.
For a good while, Sirius believed he would never find a relative he liked. As he grew up though, he realized that there were three people in his family that weren't as bad as he originally suspected.
The first person in his family that Sirius liked was Uncle Alphard. He was his mother's brother and was very nice. He was the one that actually introduced Sirius to pranking. He never before knew how to have fun at home with all those lessons he had to attend and his uncle opened that wonderful door for him.
The second person in his family that Sirius liked was his cousin Andromeda. It surprised him to find out that she was really fun to be around and he soon learned to look forward to visits from her mother and sisters solely for the purpose of hanging out with her.
The final person in his family that Sirius liked was his brother Regulus. If it weren't for him, Sirius probably would've died from loneliness so he owed that small comfort to his younger brother.
xxxoooxxx Walburga xxxoooxxx
Sirius wasn't always a rebellious child and, as he grew up, Walburga noticed this side of him coming out more and more.
When he was younger, whenever he would have a bad dream she would see his big eyes peeking into her bedroom. She would smile at him gently and open her arms from where she lay on the bed. Sirius would then run over and snuggle with his mother until he felt better. Walburga would kiss his head and sing various lullabies about toe-tugging pixies to lull him to sleep.
This behavior abruptly stopped when Sirius had a bad dream one night when Orion was home. Walburga remembered clearly the last night she ever saw her eldest son looking utterly frightened by the boogey man.
"Mummy?"
Walburga looked up from her book to see her three year old boy looking at her with those silver eyes that were so much like his fathers, save for the fear that was so evident.
"Mummy, I saw him again."
"Who, honey?" She set down her book on proper house elf disciplinary techniques and patted a spot on the bed next to her.
Sirius came over and sat down. "Torin."
"Who's Torin?"
He gave her a look as though he didn't understand how she couldn't understand. "Torin, mom! The fire crab that lives under my bed!"
"Oh right, him." She smiled at her son.
"He was talking to me."
"What did he say, dear?"
"He said he was-"
"Sirius!" Walburga jumped at the sound of her husband's sharp voice as he entered the room. "Get to bed. Now!"
Sirius' lip trembled and Walburga saw a small tear fall down his cheek.
"Orion, it's alright. He just had a bad dream." She set her hand on Sirius' tiny shoulder.
Orion stared coldly at their son and she could have sworn she saw disgust in his hard slate eyes. "A bad dream?"
Sirius stared intently at the bed as if he was to afraid to look at his father.
"A bad dream? It's time you grow up, boy!"
"Orion," Walburga tried to soothe her husband.
"Stay out of this, woman!" He looked back at Sirius. "You get your pathetic arse back in bed and get that tear off of your face, you worthless brat!"
Without glancing once at either his mother or father, Sirius jumped up and bolted to his room as fast as his little legs could carry him.
"And if I ever hear you talking about bad dreams again, I'll give you something to really be afraid of!" The door was slammed shut and Orion sauntered back in.
"Orion, he's just a child. He doesn't know any better."
SMACK!
Walburga stared at her husband, stunned. She touched her stinging cheek that she was positive was turning bright red.
"Don't encourage his childish behavior," he growled.
That was the first time Orion ever struck her and, at that moment, she just knew it wouldn't be the last.
xxxoooxxx Sirius xxxoooxxx
One day in the spring of 1967, Sirius was atrociously bored. He was sitting on a couch in the living room trying to 'be on his best behavior' as he stared out the window. His mother was having a tea party that afternoon and so she had warned Sirius about acting up and had ordered him to stay put in the living room.
The fire place suddenly flashed with green flames and a tall man dressed in wild orange and green robes sauntered out. Even though Sirius was sure he had seen him before at a family reunion, he didn't recognize him.
The man smiled almost like a Jack-o-Lantern and his emerald eyes almost twinkled. He had long and curly peppered hair and a sharp goatee. "Hey there, sport," the main said in a very gruff voice as he ruffled Sirius' hair.
"Don't do that," Sirius protested with much indignation. He immediately reached up to fix his hair. Even at the age of seven (almost eight!) Sirius was showing signs of vanity.
The man laughed spiritfully, tossing his head back. "Oh, Sirius. One day your hair will be the only thing you care about."
"Nuh-uh!" Sirius stuck out his tongue in defiance.
The man settled down on the couch. "Remember who I am?"
"Uh-" Sirius hated how all his relatives expected him to know all their names. But he especially hated it when he had to admit he didn't know who they were.
"That's alright," he laughed. "I never remembered any of my relative's names either when I was your age. I'm Alphard, your uncle." He smiled broadly as he stretched back onto the couch.
Sirius beamed, suddenly feeling elated. This was the first time a grown-up had ever related to him.
"So, I actually came to see you," Uncle Alphard began. "I heard your mother is having a tea party and I thought you might be bored."
Sirius nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Mother says I have to stay in the living room and behave."
Uncle Alphard tisked in disapproval. "That's just like Wally. She always was against having fun."
Suddenly the grown man leaned forward. "Where is your mum now?"
Sirius shrugged. "Upstairs maybe?"
Uncle Alphard grinned. "Perfect. Come with me."
"But mother said-"
"Listen, Sirius." He stood up quickly and looked down at his nephew. "Sometimes you have to understand that what your mother says is really a 'suggestion' and not an actual 'order'."
Sirius didn't understand and tilted his head curiously, very much resembling a dog. "What do you mean?"
"Well, grown ups says a lot of things. They'll tell you not to do something but it's not because it's bad to do. It's because they don't want you to find out how much fun it is."
"Why would they do that?"
"Well, now that's the question, isn't it?" Uncle Alphard gave Sirius a mischievous grin. "Grown ups are mean, that's why."
Sirius rose an eyebrow.
"See, your mum said to stay here, right?"
"Yes."
"And you're bored out of your mind, yeah?"
"Yes."
"Exactly! The only good that comes from listening is that you're bored!"
"Oh," Sirius said, realization dawning in his mind. "So what are we doing then?" He stood up casually and followed his Uncle to the parlor.
"Your mother is having a tea party, yes?"
"Well, yeah."
"We're going to put a bit of excitement into her afternoon."
Sirius followed his uncle to the table that had been set up for the party and watched as Uncle Alphard pulled out his wand, the Jack-o-Lantern grin spreading across his face once again.
The table had been lined with a flowery tablecloth that looked very much out of place in Grimmauld Place. There were eight dainty tea cups on matching saucers all laying on frilly doilies. In the center of the table were trays of ladyfingers, scones and other delicate pastries Sirius didn't know the names of.
Sirius watched with anticipation as his uncle pointed his wand at each teacup in turn, reciting the incantation, "Morsus." A small pink ball of light flew out of his wand and hit the teacups, causing them to glow momentarily before appearing as normal.
Uncle Alphard pocketed his wand and beckoned Sirius to follow him out of the parlor. They sat down on the couch and Sirius eyed his uncle questioningly for a moment.
When it seemed as though the man was not going to say anything, Sirius decided to state his unspoken question. "Er-Uncle Alphard? What did you do to the teacups?"
The man beamed at his nephew, glad to see his interest. "I just made your mother's tea party more - interesting."
"Interesting how?"
He chuckled and shook his head. "You're just going to have to wait and see."
"Oh." Sirius tried not to look too disappointed as he turned his attention to the coffee table in front of him.
Just then, a loud chime resounded through Number 12 Grimmauld Place signaling that guests had arrived. The sound of Walburga's footsteps coming downstairs followed and shortly the house was filled with mindless chatter and gossip.
It wasn't very long before the first shriek was heard followed by several others. Sirius looked to his uncle in bewilderment and saw that the man was already on his feet and beckoning Sirius to follow.
As they entered the parlor, Sirius struggled immensely to contain his laughter. Around the feminate-decorated table were Walburga's dignified friends with dainty tea cups viciously nibbling on their perfectly aristocratic noses.
Druella was staring at her teacup completely baffled and looking cross-eyed. Lucretia was tugging at it's handle trying to pry it off while simultaneously wincing in pain. Cari, Lysandra and Celine had their wands out and were shooting various spells causing a rainbow of colors.
"Having a bit of difficulty, ladies?"
Walburga shot a dark look at her brother. "Alphard! You reverse this, now!"
He simply smiled his broad Jack-o-Lantern grin in response. "But where's the fun in that?"
The sight of his mother glowering with a wriggling teacup attached to her nose was too much and Sirius' laughter came out full-force, his head falling back.
Unfortunately, this simply caused Walburga to turn her attention on her eldest son. "Sirius! This is not a joking matter! Now get to your room!"
Still snickering, Sirius went to his room and plopped on his bed. That was definitely the most entertaining day he had ever had.
It was then that he realized that not all of his relatives were bothersome. He really liked his Uncle Alphard and hoped he would come and visit again soon.
xxxoooxxx Walburga xxxoooxxx
On cold winter days, Walburga would settle down by the sitting room furnace with a book in hand. She always felt these days were the best for a bit of light reading.
It was one of those days when she heard the front door open and three pairs of feet came in. Shortly after, Sirius trotted happily into the sitting room, his four year old face alight with energy.
"Mum! Mum!" The young boy plopped lightly on the loveseat beside her. Walburga pulled him into her and Sirius wrapped his tiny arms around her waist, snuggling in close.
"Did you have fun with your father and uncle?" Walburga inquired.
Sirius nodded vehemently. "Father and Uncle Ignatius took me to the Dark Creatures Exhi-Exhi-Place. We saw 'cromantuas and a chimra and a Peruvan vipertooth and erklings and centars and oh-camies and even a werewolf!" *
"Oh, really?"
Sirius frowned slightly and he scrunched his face in confusion. "Mum?"
"Yes?"
"Father said it was a werewolf but-" Sirius licked is lips as if in thought. "But it looked like a human. And it was just sitting there. It didn't look mean or scary at all."
"That's the point," Orion stated matter-of-factly as he came in the room. "They live for deceit."
"De-ceet? What's de-ceet?" Sirius turned slightly to look at his father while still able to curl up with Walburga.
"They look human but they're not. They act kind but they secretly want to tear you apart. They tell nothing but lies and no matter how human they trick you into thinking they are, they never will be."
Sirius' eyes widened with interest.
"Believe me son, werewolves are monsters. Horrible, evil creatures much worse than any muggle or blood-traitor. You must never trust a werewolf. They are constantly waiting for you to let your guard down so they can sink their teeth into your throat and turn you into one of them."
The small boy gasped and clutched at the throat in question.
"Orion, really. He's four. That's enough." Walburga pulled her son in closer, trying to comfort him.
"No, he needs to know. They are evil, despicable creatures that need to be put down. They still let those monsters run free, can you believe it?"
"It is true," Ignatius said cooly as he sauntered into the room. "We're working on getting that law appealed. Registered or not, vicious, lying, disguisting half-breeds shouldn't be allowed- What in Salazar's name are you doing, boy?"
Sirius looked up as his uncle in confusion. "What?"
"Get up!"
Sirius crawled out of his mother's warm embrace and stood obediently in front of the loveseat.
"Come here."
He walked unsurely over to is uncle, stopping a few feet in front of him.
"How old are you, my boy?"
"Four."
"So, are you still a baby?"
"No!" Sirius wore a defiant expression.
"You're acting like a baby."
"No I'm not!"
"Only babies cuddle up with their mother. Big boys don't do that."
"Th-they don't?" Walburga could hear the confusion in Sirius' voice and she didn't like where this conversation was going.
"Ignatius, please," she started.
"So if you want to not be a baby you need to stop acting like one," Ignatius continued, cutting her off. "Big boys don't hug their mothers. Big boys don't get scared of monsters like werewolves and centaurs. Big boys don't cry and run to their mums for comfort."
Sirius bit his lip. "S-so I can't sit with mum?"
"No, you can't. And also, big boys don't stutter."
"But-"
"No, Sirius. If you don't want to be a baby you need to stop acting like one."
The four year old looked at his mother longingly for a moment before hanging his head resolutely.
"Do you understand?"
Sirius nodded meekly.
"Say 'yes, sir,' Sirius," Orion instructed.
"Yes, sir."
After that, Sirius never curled up with Walburga again and refused to return any proffered hug.
xxxoooxxx Sirius xxxoooxxx
Sirius was eight years old when he got his first one-on-one interaction with his cousin Andromeda. He never looked forward to visits from his cousins as Bellatrix was mean, Andromeda never talked and Narcissa was stuck-up.
During one of these visits, Sirius was sitting in the back garden watching the gnomes scamper from one bushel of monkshood to the next. He heard the sound of soft footfalls behind him and merely rolled his eyes waiting for the antagonizing to begin.
"Hey, Sirius."
Sirius turned his head to find the voice belonged to Andromeda. "What?"
She smiled wryly at him and sat down on the grass beside him. "I just wanted to see what you were doing. It can get really boring in there listening to mum and auntie talk about all the new scandals going on."
He turned his head back to stare at a particularly fascinating gnome attacking a milk thistle leaf.
"Hey," she nudged his arm. "What do you say to a game of exploding snap?"
"Exploding snap? What's that?"
"You've never heard of exploding snap? Are you serious?"
"I'm always Sirius," he replied cheekily.
Andromeda let out a tinkling laugh and shook her head. "Oh, it's positively delightful. I'll just have to teach you."
Shortly after, the two were engaged in games and laughter. Sirius discovered that, although she was quiet while around her sisters, Andromeda was truly an interesting person and he enjoyed spending time with her. She didn't seem like the rest of the family; she was nice.
xxxoooxxx Walburga xxxoooxxx
When Sirius and Regulus were growing up, they had many tutors in various subjects. They were taught how to read and count as every child was, but their lessons also included less 'normal' subjects.
In the morning on weekdays they were taught English, French, Gaelic, and Romanian simultaneously to ensure proper absorption. Afternoon lessons consisted of either calligraphy practice, ancestral history, ancient runes, or dark creatures studies. At night the boys were taught astronomy, observed duelling matches and studied deeper levels of magic such as hexes, curses and wandless magic. On the weekends, Sirius and Regulus would work on anything they needed extra lessons on until noon before being allowed to relax and play.
Their lessons were indeed intense but Orion had made it very clear that, as heirs to the Black family fortune, they needed to have the best education money could offer. It was during one of their Tuesday afternoon calligraphy lessons that Walburga once again saw a shimmer of her first-born's childlike innocence fade out.
Her father-in-law, Arcturus, was visiting as he did on occasion. Sirius was five years old at the time and Regulus, four. For their age, Walburga was proud of their writing skills but Arcturus seemed to disagree.
"You call that writing?" Arcturus turned a sour expression on his eldest grandson. "That is of muggle-standard. Rewrite it immediately and as a man of intelligence this time."
Sirius bit his lip and nodded. "M'kay."
SMACK!
Sirius yelped and quickly brought his left hand to the back of his head where he had been struck.
"Say 'yes, sir,' you ungrateful brat," Arcturus snarled.
"Y-y-yes, sir," he stammered.
SMACK!
"Again! And without sounding like an invalid!"
Walburga saw her son gulp tremulously. "Yes, sir," he said quietly.
"Really, Arcturus. That isn't necessary." Walburga held out her hands in a reasoning gesture that merely caused the man to raise a cold, aristocratic eyebrow.
"Oh? It's not necessary? It's not necessary to train my heir to be proper? It's not necessary to teach him respect?" His voice began to rise with each utteration. "It's not necessary to have him turn out as more than just a worthless squib? It's not necessary to bring honor to our family? It's not-"
"Arcturus, please-"
"ORION!" Arcturus stormed over to the drawing room door and swung it open. "Orion Pollux Black! Come down here this instant!"
Walburga folded her hands in front of her and looked at her two boys who were both watching the scene. Regulus wore a look of vast curiosity while Sirius was a mixture of fear, shame and confusion.
She quickly swept over to her boys and laid a hand on the back of their heads, noticing horribly how Sirius flinched on contact. "Best get back to work boys."
"Orion, your woman seems to have a problem with me disciplining your children."
Walburga turned to the two men wearing what she hoped was a stern expression. "I wil not allow you to hit my son, Arc-"
"That's enough," Orion barked, effectively silencing her. "You will sit quietly and allow my father to train Sirius and Regulus as he sees fit. Is that understood?"
"I-"
"Silence!"
She shrank in on herself, bowing her head.
"And if you try disrupting again," Orion started, articulating carefully, "you will be punished as well. And believe you me, it will not be pleasant."
Walburga nodded and sat silently on the chair by the window.
Arcturus walked purposefully back to Sirius. "Now, boy, rewrite your lines but without flaw this time."
"Yes, sir."
There was silence for a long moment with nothing but the sound of scratching quills to break it.
"That's better. Now here. I want you to use this special quill. It's the best to use when practicing calligraphy."
Arcturus pulled a slender, pure black quill from his robes and handed it to Sirius. Sirius set down the quill he had been using and took the proffered one skeptically. He reached over to dip it in his well when Arcturus set his hand atop the boy's.
"No, no," he instructed. "You don't need any ink for this one."
Sirius furrowed his brow but obediently set the quill to parchment. He began writing his lines and a few moments later he let out a sharp hiss of pain. Sirius dropped the quill as if it caught fire and clutched his right hand to his chest.
"I did not give you permission to stop, boy." Arcturus plucked the quill from the floor and held it in front of Sirius. "Keep writing."
Sirius reluctantly took it from his grandfather's hand and resumed writing, hands shaking. Once again, the quill flew from Sirius' hand and he let out a shriek of pain.
"Silence! Write!"
Sirius looked back at Walburga, hurt clear in his eyes. It was then that she caught sight of why her son was in pain. Every time Sirius put quill to paper, the words were being sliced into the back of his hand. Walburga wanted badly to protest but one stern look from her father-in-law caused her to bite her tongue.
"I said write!"
Sirius picked up the quill and wrote two more lines before he let out a shaky whimper. He looked back at his mother, tears brimming his eyes. "Mum-"
Arcturus smacked the back of Sirius' head so hard he nearly caused his grandson to collide with the writing desk. "Silence, you ingrate."
Another five minutes passed with the sounds of shaky breathing coming from the five year old before it was broken by a choked sob. "Mum, please. Please. It hurts."
The plea was so desperate it tugged at Walburga's heartstrings. Suddenly, there was a bloodcurdling scream that resounded through the manner. She looked to see that Arcturus had stabbed Sirius clear through the hand with the torturous quill he had been using.
"I told you to be silent!"
Sirius tried in vain to keep in his sobs of anguish. "Mum-"
"Silence!"
"Mum, please-"
Arcturus twisted the quill, causing Sirius to shriek as a fresh batch of tears began to poor.
"Mum-"
Walburga quickly stood and took a step towards her son but was stopped cold by a murderous stare.
Sirius choked out another soft whimper and looked back at his mother. Walburga resolutely closed her eyes and stepped out of the drawing room, latching the door behind her. She didn't need to see it to know the heartbroken expression that surely was on her eldest son's face.
"Now," she heard from the other side of the door, "back to writing."
There was another smack and yelp. "Begin! And for Salazar's sake, stop trembling boy!"
That was the last time Sirius called on his mother for help. That was the last time he showed any sign at all that he needed or even wanted his mother's care.
xxxoooxxx Sirius xxxoooxxx
Sirius would never ever, in a million years, admit to liking his kid brother Regulus. He did like him, just secretly. Whenever anyone was looking though, Sirius would complain about the younger boy and say what a burden he was.
As Sirius had no actual friends while growing up, he had to get used to playing with his brother. And, since he was the older one in that relationship, Sirius was the leader and Regulus would do whatever Sirius ordered him to. There were perks to having a henchman after all, so that was one reason to like the younger Black sibling.
Whenever they could escape the notice of their parents, the two of them would often go exploring. There wasn't much they could do as most of the rooms in the house were locked, but it was fun none-the-less to pretend to discover secret passageways.
The Black manor was very large. While it looked small on the outside, there were at least twenty-five rooms that the young boys had access to and then the countless others that were locked or simply beyond their notice.
With the help of Uncle Alphard and Andromeda (Sirius later found she was also a prankster), Sirius put Regulus to work terrorizing their parents with various pranking items or by capturing magical creatures and setting them loose in the house. Even though his younger brother was always assigned the dirty work to keep Sirius' hands clean, Sirius somehow always got the blame pinned on him.
But the fact of the matter is, Sirius really did enjoy spending time with Regulus. He would deny it to the ends of the earth, but he really, truly does love his little brother. **
xxxoooxxx Walburga xxxoooxxx
"Mother?" Sirius peered his head into the tapestry room where Walburga was currently observing the family tree.
She turned to her almost six year old son and smiled. "Come in, Sirius." He was growing up to be a very well-mannered son and she was glad to see it. Although she didn't originally like the disciplinary methods of Orion's family, they did seem to be paying off.
"A new family moved in down the street and I want to play with their son. May I, please?"
Walburga frowned in thought. She didn't know of anyone moving in. "Who are they?"
"Prewetts."
She pursed her lips. "No, Sirius. You may not."
"But why? They're wizards!"
"It's not that simple, Sirius."
"You said I can only play with wizards and he is! You said I can only play with purebloods and he is, too!" Sirius stomped his left foot in protest.
"But he's a blood-traitor. The Prewett's are blood-traitors."
"Mother, please!"
"No, Sirius."
Sirius scowled. "You never let me have any friends!"
"Sirius-"
"What wrong with playing with him? What's wrong with being a blood-traitor?"
"Sirius-"
"It's not fair! I want a friend, mother! Just one friend!" The five-year-old glared defiantly at his mother as if daring her to say no again.
"You have Regulus to play with, Sirius."
"He's my brother, not my friend. I want to play with Theo and you can't stop me!"
"To associate with a blood-traitor is to become one yourself and I will not allow it!" Walburga crossed her arms and stared down at her son, emanating disapproval.
"Then fine! I'll be a blood-traitor!"
"No you will not!"
"Watch me!"
It did not happen consciously but, at the same time, it felt almost natural as the back of her hand smacked across her son's face. There was a sickening crack and he collided with the wall forcefully.
Sirius stared at her in horrified awe before bringing one trembling hand to his cheek. Walburga could see two small gashes in his cheek beginning to drip blood that must have come from the rings encrusting her long fingers.
Her son opened and closed his mouth a few times but nothing except heavy breathing came between them. Sirius lowered his hand to his side resolutely and it was then that Walburga noticed the change take hold.
His eyes hardened and the glisten of youthful innocence was lost. He set his jaw and lifted his chin in defiance, horrifically resembling his father. Sirius then quickly turned on his heel and briskly strode to his room, slamming the door behind him hard enough to shake the foundations of the house.
She never again heard her eldest son tell her he loved her and, if she was honest with herself, she did not feel much loss for she, too, had stopped loving him.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
* Please excuse the horrid spelling, I just didn't believe a four year old could really say all those words. The creatures mentioned were: Acromantulas, Chimera, Peruvian Vipertooth, Erklings, Centaurs, and Occamys.
** I also want to beg your pardon for having a section that is horribly written and childish. I was trying to write a narrative from a child's perspective so I intentionally have it sound immature. Hopefully it wasn't too horrid.
A/N: Well, THANK YOU for getting through that very long prologue. I know it was awkward to have it as the second chapter instead of the first but since there's that brief Remus prologue in the first I didn't want to really mix the two.
In any case, thanks for sticking with me so far and I hope you'll continue to stay with me.
Please review and let me know what you think. All constructive criticism or type-o notifications are welcome! ^.^