Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter universe. Everybody should know that by now.
Author's Notes: Thank goes to Egwene, my beta for beta-ing the story and for putting up with me! And also I would like to thank paradox01 for giving me the idea about the Gryffindors not being so accepting of Sirius, it's thanks to you that this idea was in the chapter on Sirius. So thank you very much paradox! I'm dedicating this chapter to you, and to all my reviewers.
Sirius' Story:
Year, 1971 (Do I really have to constantly remind you what year I'm talking about?! I mean really, even Peter or Mrs. Norris could remember stuff like this!)
Quote of the Day: "Our choices determine who we are, and it will be our future choices that determine our destiny." – Said by Albus Dumbledore
Well as you can imagine, I was perfectly terrified. I looked at James, Remus and Peter, they all had bewildered looks on their faces, and did not offer any support.
Why did McGonagall want to see me for? And then it hit me, the incident on the train! That was what she'd want to talk to me about, and she didn't sound very happy either - (though, later, I found that this wasn't anything unusual for McGonagall). But why, if this was about the train incident, didn't McGonagall ask for James as well? After all, it was James who originally started the whole thing, even if it was accidental.
Seeing as I didn't have much choice in the matter I stood up and followed McGonagall out. Nearly every occupant in the hall was staring in my direction. As I walked past the part of the Gryffindor table where the older years sat at I could distinctly hear phrases like, "I hope they put him in Slytherin," and "maybe she's going to put him in Slytherin," and the voices that said them sounded distinctly like Jared and Dominic, the boys that had confronted me before.
I didn't look at them however, I just kept walking.
"Sorry to take you out of lunch Mr. Black, but we have a situation at hand that should be dealt with," McGonagall said as we walked through some corridors.
A situation? What kind of situation? And what did it have to do with me? I was totally confused.
"Where are we going?" I asked, quite rudely, sick of being ordered to do things. To my surprise McGonagall answered.
"Professor Dumbledore's office," McGonagall replied, walking briskly along and not looking at me.
Dumbledore's office? Why was she taking me to Dumbledore's office? Was I in that much trouble that I had to go to Dumbledore?
After a while we suddenly we came to a halt in front of a stone gargoyle in an empty corridor on the second floor.
"Cauldron cakes," McGonagall said, instantly the gargoyle sprang to life and gave way to reveal a stone staircase, McGonagall stepped onto the staircase and I followed. All of a sudden the staircase started revolving and after a while it stopped.
In front of us was a shiny oak door with a brass doorknocker. McGonagall stepped off the staircase and I followed, I could hear voices coming from inside the office.
"…Sirius should be in Slytherin!" the voice said, I instantly registered the voice: it was my mother's. My stomach turned over, my mother had come to make Dumbledore change me to be in Slytherin.
"Yes Dumbledore, she's quite right." That was my father. Great, they had both come. What a happy family reunion this was going to be.
My first day at Hogwarts was turning out to be the worst day. First the Howler, then Crevan, then the elder Gryffindor meatheads, now this! I couldn't take it anymore! Why did every single person think they have a say in my life but me?!
McGonagall pushed the door open and entered. I followed her through the door grudgingly.
Dumbledore and my parents looked over at me upon my arrival. Dumbledore gave me a warm smile and my parents merely gave me the 'I'm-going-to-kill-you glare'.
"Ah, Mr. Black, take a seat please," Dumbledore said, indicating the seat in front of me, my parents obviously chose to stand - as if Dumbledore's seats weren't good enough for them, and it made them look more intimidating that way. Dumbledore, however, was sitting down in a chair behind his desk. I chose to sit down.
"Sirius! What is the meaning of this?!" My mother said, instantly rounding on me, "Why are you in Gryffindor?!" she demanded.
"I… I don't know, the Sorting Hat put me there," I offered. Clearly this was not the explanation she had been looking for. I could tell she was itching to slap me, but as long as we were in Dumbledore's presence however, she wouldn't have dared.
"He's quite right Mrs. Black, the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor, there is nothing we can do to change that," Dumbledore said.
"He's meant to be in Slytherin! He's a Black for Merlin's sake! Every single Black has been in Slytherin since the start of Hogwarts! Every single one," my father said, looking aggravated.
"Maybe Sirius isn't meant to be in Slytherin, maybe Sirius is different to rest of the Blacks," Dumbledore said, though I knew the 'maybe' part wasn't necessary. I sure hoped so.
"The only way that he's different is that he's an ungrateful little rat!" My mother screeched, glaring at me.
"I'd advise you not to talk about our students that way Mrs. Black," McGonagall said boldly. I was definitely on McGonagall's side.
"How dare you tell me how to talk about my own son! You insufferable woman!" my mother said. She looked like she was ready to claw McGonagall's eyes out. McGonagall however, merely gave her a cold glare.
"Now, now Cyrilla," my father said quietly to my mother. Though I could tell he wanted to do the same to McGonagall as my mother did.
"Professor McGonagall, perhaps it'd be better for you to leave," Dumbledore said.
"If you insist," McGonagall said, "Though I wouldn't want to leave you alone with such a viper of a woman," McGonagall said. But before my mother could do anything to McGonagall she had already disappeared through the door. Ten points to McGonagall! If there was anything that my mother hated it was when another adult 'lower' (or so she thought) than her insulted her. And McGonagall obviously knew enough about my mother's character to know this.
"How dare she! I'd advise you to rethink your staff Dumbledore," My father said before my mother could say anything.
"I assure you all the members of my staff are perfectly fine," Dumbledore replied.
"Not that woman!" My mother said, referring to McGonagall.
"Yes, anyway, Sirius is to be in Slytherin, not in Gryffindor!" My father said.
"I have already told you Mr. Black, what the Sorting Hat says, goes. Sirius is in Gryffindor," Dumbledore replied simply.
"We won't allow it. Any Black son of mine is in Slytherin," my father said.
"We can't have him tainting the Black family name like this! We, the Black family, are a family of honour, and, unlike others, value our legacy, and Slytherin is part of that legacy. Every Black is, and always has been in Slytherin," my mother stated, regaining once again her air of arrogance.
"I'm sure you do value your legacy Mrs. Black, but I assure you that having one son in Gryffindor will not taint the family name," Dumbledore said, "in fact, it could do you the world of good," Dumbledore added with a smile.
My mother and father visibly blanched.
"The world of good?" My mother said disbelievingly, "the world of good?!" she repeated once again, "You obviously know nothing about what will taint the Black name Dumbledore!" My mother glared. Dumbledore however, seemed unperturbed.
"We simply cannot have Sirius in Gryffindor!" My father said, "It will taint the Black family name, we demand that you move Sirius to Slytherin immediately or our future children will not be going to Hogwarts," he threatened.
"The only possible way that I will consider moving Sirius to Slytherin is if he, himself wants to," Dumbledore said looking me in the eyes, "well, Sirius, do you want to be in Slytherin?" Dumbledore asked looking at me intently.
I didn't reply. I couldn't. For the second time that day I had no idea what to say, or do. I looked at Dumbledore, his blue eyes shining.
This was the moment, the moment where I could regain my place and stature in the Black family legacy, the moment that would determine my future and everything that happened in it. I realized that it was not just a game anymore it was real life.
I looked over at my parents, both of whom were glaring at me, as if to say 'say yes or you're doomed, Sirius'.
My mother, Cyrilla Black, stood there glaring at me, her long jet black hair hanging straight down the sides of her face, and her dark stormy eyes glaring darkly out at me, her cheeks were slightly pinched and her nose small and elegant, her facial expression one of utter dislike and brutal pride, she was the epitome of the Blacks, she was terrifying and striking at the same time.
It was in these moments when I looked at her that I remembered all of the things that I had missed out on in my childhood.
My mother hardly ever showed any kind of affection towards me at all.
Over the years, as a result of Regulus' birth, she hardly paid me any attention whatsoever, she never held me close if I hurt myself, never comforted me when I had nightmares, and never once stood up for me when I fought with Regulus.
The only thing I had ever received from her was slaps in the face and long lectures. She had never shown me a proper mother's love.
My gaze shifted over to the tall figure standing behind my mother, almost flanking her, he had never paid me any attention whatsoever, if Cyrilla liked Regulus so would my father, if my mother hated me, so did my father. He never really voiced his own opinions but went along with my mother's. I had never had any son-like affection for my father, and he had never had any fatherly love for me.
He was always distant with me, and sometimes with Regulus, he was indifferent to his own children, and only cared if they carried on his stupid legacy.
I stared at them; they had never shown me any love or affection in my whole life.
Never.
If I were to say 'Yes' to being in Slytherin then they would be relieved. Their precious legacy, the legacy that meant more to them then their own sons' feelings, would be carried on. I would still be guaranteed a place on the family tapestry, and in their pure-blood Black legacy, but never, would I be guaranteed a place in their hearts.
"No," I said finally. My mother and father looked shocked, as if they didn't hear what I had said, I noticed a grim smile light up Dumbledore's features.
"What. Did. You. Say?" my mother asked, her eyes dark slits, her face shadowed and full of compressed fury.
"I said: No," I said, this time more clearly, and this time it gave me a deep satisfaction to say it. It was time to take a stand, against my parents, against my family, against everything they believed in, and against their legacy.
"What do you mean 'no'?" My father said, through gritted teeth, his face was going red with rage.
"I mean no. I don't want to be in Slytherin," I replied.
"How dare you?! You intolerable little wretch! You brat of a child! You're a shame of my flesh! Abomination! How dare you refuse your own parents! You wretch!" My mother screeched. She was seething. Utterly seething. She was quite ready to claw me to death. Of course I was scared of her (who the hell wouldn't be? She's capable of murder I reckon), but I almost felt like grinning at her reaction. My father, though still filled with rage at me, tried to hold her back.
"Well," Dumbledore said calmly, interrupting my mother, "it is quite clear that Sirius doesn't want to be in Slytherin, there is nothing more you can do about it. He has made the decision, he's in Gryffindor, and he will stay in Gryffindor for all of his schooling years…" he said, sealing my future, "…and his life." Dumbledore added almost as an afterthought, it was almost as if he wanted to provoke the wrath of my mother. As if he took pleasure in seeing my mother go off her rocker.
What my mother said next is too full of curses and alarming insults that I won't repeat here, but my parents were perfectly furious with the outcome. Eventually (without calling Hagrid) Dumbledore managed to get my parents out of his office, and as they walked out the door, their last words to me were, "Don't you dare come home for holidays!" Yeah right, like I even wanted to anyway. I wasn't even planning on it.
I sat back in the chair in Dumbledore's office, quite amazed.
I had done it, I had overthrown my parents, I had sealed my own future instead of my parents determining it for me. And oh how it felt good!
I, Sirius Black, was a true individual and independent. I had finally the courage to determine what would happen to me. It felt like part of a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.
"Well, that's sorted then," Dumbledore said, giving me a wink and a light smile, as the door slammed shut behind my parents. "I'm afraid though Sirius, that you've taken the hard road. Indeed, there inevitably will be times when you come to regret the choice that you made here today, but those times will pass," Dumbledore said. The hard road? What did this mean? And why would I regret the choice I made? I surely didn't now.
"Professor," I said, "why did the Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor?" I asked.
"Ah," Dumbledore said knowingly, "simply because you wanted to be in Gryffindor," Dumbledore answered. I was confused, because I wanted to?
"I don't catch you Professor… because I wanted to?" I asked, bewildered.
"It is your heart that determines your house Sirius, your heart made a choice on the night of the Sorting, and it is that choice that determined you to be in Gryffindor. It is our choices that determine who we are." Dumbledore said, smiling.
"Oh…" I replied.
I finally understood. It was my choice that determined my fate. My own choice.
As if reading my mind Dumbledore said, "And it will be your future choices that will determine your destiny."
And how right he was.
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Thank you to everyone who has been so far reviewing, I hope you all are still enjoying the story and if you are, please let me know! I love and appreciate every reviewer and reader! I don't know when the next chapter will be out though because it still hasn't finished being beta-d yet, but it's from Remus' POV and it's his transformation.
This Parrot has ceased to be: Lol, crikey, your review was fast too! Thank you. No I have not read that fic, I've never read fics on Sugar Quill, I'll have to check it out. You request more insanity? Are you sure that's a good idea? ;) hehe.
Buta-chan: Thank you, I'm glad you like it, don't cry!
Goddesgaia- Thanks! Was that fast enough?
Ronda-Silverpaw- No he's not having a very good day, but he'll be fine soon! Well you helped me turn into more of a slasher! Any more stories I can read?
Black Mistress: Sorry for the cliffhanger! I hope I updated quick enough! Thank you for your review! No of course I don't mind if you use the star of Sirius in your fic, I didn't even come up with that idea, I think it's been used in a lot of fanfics by now. I know it would suck to be killed by your own cousin, to say the least. I hate Bellatrix so much right now! She should have died! On Narcissa's age- well I always think of the Black sisters as Andromeda being the oldest, then Bella, then Narcissa, I don't know why, Narcissa seems to me more of the baby of the three. And I think it would fit for Lucius to be some years older than Narcissa anyway. Lucius is about 6 years older than Narcissa, but I don't think it matters much when you're older. Wow, I'm glad I inspired you! And you can advertise my fic as much as you want! Thanks again for your great review!
EloraCooper4- Hello! Nice to see you reviewing again, that's okay that you didn't review straight away before, as long as you review, hehe ;). I'm glad you liked the Prof. Chapter and Remus' and Sirius' discussions, they're so funny together! I love them to death. Well there won't be much of Morgan I don't think, unless you definitely want more of her, but she hasn't featured much. Yep, Andromeda has met Tonks; they'll be featuring in the summer soon! Thanks for your reviews! Glad to hear from you!
Marsexplorer- Well I hope I updated quickly enough!
Hannanora-Potter- Hi! Computers can be so annoying can't they? Thanks for your review; yes Sirius' mother is definitely a bitch. I feel so sorry for Sirius, but yay, this chapter he stood up against them! Go Sirius! It's your birthday, we're gonna party like it's your birthday! Uh, anyway, I'll be quiet now…
Rosaline- Thank you very much! I'm glad your enjoying the story, and Sirius' character. Who doesn't enjoy Sirius' POV?! Thanks for sending it to your friends to read as well, that's great! Thanks very much for your comments, I hope you continue to enjoy!
Goldilocks31890- Thank you again! That's okay that you didn't review last chapter, thanks for reviewing this one! I hope this is enough for you for the time being!
Tanya J Potter- Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it! Well, actually there will be a few brief encounters between Lily & James in the next couple of chapters, but not yet.
Padfoot-911- Yes poor Sirius, I feel so sorry for him, but he's okay. I love Sirius too, so much! I'm glad you liked the chapter! Hope you liked this chapter.
DracosPrincess1- Thanks, yeah I'm going to write Remus' and James' and Peters' POV soon. Remus' will be next chapter. I just can't help writing from Sirius' POV because it's fun and I love Sirius lots! But there will definitely be a lot more from the others. I tried to make it all equal. But Sirius just kind of demanded to have his POV first. Lol. ;)
Visualpurple- Lol, sorry for making you wait for so long, but I had a lot to do, it gets like that sometimes. Annoying. I'd much rather do this story than homework any day! I'm glad you liked Sirius' chapter. I personally believe he is the best also, with Remus very very close behind, then James very very close behind that. And Peter last. But the kid's okay. Hehe