Those next few weeks were some of the best of Sirius's life. James quickly became his best friend, and after avenging Remus, he too joined their crew. The boy with the teddy bear-Peter Pettigrew- was the only other Gryffindor of their age, so he took to following the three around. Sirius adjusted easily to life at Hogwarts. Strangely enough, misbehaving here made him popular. So he, James, and Remus became the pranking masters. Occasionally they would even be paid to prank others. It was starting to become quite a career.

On the fourth week, Sirius was eating breakfast with Remus-James hadn't woken up yet. Remus was looking a little paler than usual.

"Are you okay?" Sirius asked between bites of sausage.

"What do you mean?" Remus was reading, occasionally taking small bites of egg.

"You look sick."

"I might be coming down with something," Remus admitted, "My mum says I have a weak immune system."

"A weak what now?"

"I get sick easily."

"Oh."

Hundreds of owls flew into the Great Hall, carrying packages and letters for students. Sirius had not yet received any communication from his parents, and he lived in constant fear of their response.
A pure black owl swooped over his head and dropped a letter into his lap.

"Who's that from?" Remus asked.

Sirius examined it carefully, half expecting it to explode. It didn't. Written on the front, in his mother's cramped handwriting, was his name.

"My mother, I think."

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"Yeah." he didn't want to. He'd been having so much fun...

James walked in and tousled Sirius's hair from behind, "How's my favorite Black?"

Sirius forced a grin, "About time you got up, sleepyhead."

"Hey, it's not my fault I need my beauty rest. Not everyone wakes up as perfect as you, Sirius."

"Right." Sirius's eyes drifted back to the letter in his hand.

"You okay, man?"

"Yeah." Sirius stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder. "Listen, man, I have to go. I'll see you in Potions."

Without waiting for a response, he took off. He ran through the castle, not looking where he was going. He wanted to get far away from everyone, to be alone. He was on the seventh floor when he finally stopped and entered the first empty classroom he saw. He sat down at a desk and stared at the unopened letter in his hand. A part of him wanted to throw away, to forget about it and his family, at least until the summer. But deep down he knew that he would be in much bigger trouble if he didn't read it, or respond.
He opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

Sirius,
Congratulations on getting into Gryffindor. Your father and I are pleased that our son was brave enough to do what no other Black has done. I hope you're happy at Hogwarts. You are making good friends, right? You know how disappointed we would be if you made friends with the wrong sort. We cannot wait to see you over Christmas break. Good luck with your exams.
- Your mother

Sirius wanted to throw up. They pretended to care so much, but this letter was full to the brim out barely hidden spite and anger. Was every family like this? Was he just being overdramatic? Was every loving family as fake as his? Maybe. That seemed to be what his parents wanted him to believe. Maybe he should be grateful that he, at least, had a family. Some people didn't.

"Sirius!"

Sirius shoved the letter out of sight before even looking up.

James stood in front of him, looking concerned, "You missed Potions."

Sirius shrugged, "It's not like I learn anything in that class, anyway."

"True, but you left me with no one to talk to."

"Sorry about that."

"Have you been reading that letter this whole time?" James whistled, "Your mom must have had a lot to say."

"What letter?" Sirius pushed the letter further out of sight.

James frowned, "Remus tools me you got a letter from your mum this morning."

"Oh that," Sirius waved him away, "I finished that forever ago."

"What did it say?"

Sirius thought about it for a moment. It couldn't hurt to show James the letter. All of the hatred was properly disguised. He pulled it out, "Just the usual."

James skimmed it. "That's weird."

"What?"

"I thought your parents would be more upset about you being in Gryffindor, since they're Blacks."

"Oh, I'm sure they are quite angry about it."

"Then why'd they congratulate you?"

"Didn't yours?"

"Yeah, but they actually meant it."

"Hm."

"So, what have you been doing, if you weren't reading this letter?" James put it back on the desk.

"I was just thinking."

"What about?"

Sirius didn't like where this conversation was going. He forced a lighthearted smile, "Don't tell me you've never skipped a class before, just because you felt like it."

"Well..." James looked sheepish.

"You're kidding me. James, the crazy prankster, has never skipped out on class?" Sirius shoved the letter in his bag. "Oh, I'm going to make a rebel out of you."

"Hey, I may not have skived class, but I have dished out pretty nasty pranks, unlike you."

Sirius stood up. "I've pranked people before!"

"Yeah, with my help!"

"I was pranking long before you showed up!"

"Yeah? Then how come you didn't even know how to start?" James was up in Sirius's face now. They glared at each other.

"Aww, how cute," a female voice drawled.

Sirius and James looked up quickly.

Allie, Remus, and Peter were standing in the doorway, all three on the verge of laughter.

Sirius sat back down and fiddled with his bag to hide his red face. "What are you all doing here?"

"Interrupting your intimate moment with James, apparently." Allie leaned against the door. "Really, James, I knew you had a thing for bad boys, but a Black?"

James flushed, "That's ridiculous, Al. We were just arguing." He brushed past her as he left the room, then turned and added, "And I do not have a thing for bad boys or boys at all!"

Allie shook her head sadly, "He's in denial," she told Remus and Peter.

Peter laughed, even Sirius was pretty sure he didn't understand.

Sirius stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder, "So, why did you come here?"

"I was attracted by the sound of arguing and sexual tension," Allie shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a sucker for drama."

"Peter and I were looking for you," Remus spoke up, "You missed class."

"Didn't feel like wasting my time. I already know all that stuff."

"And sitting by yourself in an empty classroom isn't a waste of time?"

Sirius was surprised. He had never heard Remus talk back before, "Yeah...I mean, you're right."

"Well, I have to go," Allie patted Peter's head, "Take care of this kiddo for me, will you?"

"I'm only a year younger than..." Peter started, but Allie was already gone.

Sirius wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "Come on, buddy, let's go get some food."

"Actually," Remus said, "we have to get to c-"

"Class. I know," Sirius rolled his eyes, "thanks, Remus." He wrapped his other arm around Remus's shoulders. "To Transfigurations, then."

"Charms."

"That's what I said."