Again I turn Around to You

Part Twelve: Nothing More

The presence of Arachne Black at the Kings Cross station was a surprise to Sirius. He nearly tripped over his feet when he saw her familiar pained expression among the sea of faces awaiting the students.

"Aren't you glad now that I tore you away from the Gryffindors?" Severus spoke up for the first time since the two boys had entered their compartment.

"Yes," Sirius admitted.

Severus gave his friend a small smile. "See you at the Crabbe's." The boy disappeared into the stream of exiting students.

Sirius shrugged and followed him. 'Of course his parents wouldn't think me good company now.'

"Sirius." Mrs. Black's voice cut through the crowd and caused those between her and her son to move aside quickly.

"Mother." He bowed as he reached her side.

"At least that place hasn't deprived you of your manners." Mrs. Black sounded nearly approving. "Weren't your cousins to sit with you?"

"We were separated by Professor McGonagall while still at Hogwarts." Sirius said truthfully. "I sat with Severus instead."

"That is acceptable." His mother seemed even more pleased. "I'm glad the Snapes realized that even a disgrace like you is still acceptable. After all you will always be a Black."

"Yes Mother." Sirius agreed habitually.

"Come along." Mrs. Black turned to the exit. "We have stayed among the filth here long enough. I just hope we haven't caught anything." This last though said to Sirius was more directed toward a startled couple with a red headed daughter.

Sirius, following in his mother's wake, recognized Lily Evans. He gave her a half shrug of apology before skipping to keep up before his mother realized he had lagged behind.

"Grab ahold." Mrs. Black commanded holding out her bag.

Sirius complied and felt the familiar tugging sensation that always accompanied Portkeys.

--

Sirius had barely gotten himself resettled in his room when Regulus burst through the door. "Did you really punch one of your roommates?" The younger Black demanded. "Good show! Way to show those Gryffs who is superior."

"In case you've forgotten." Sirius drawled as he sat back on his bed. "I am a Gryffindor as well."

"Shameful!" Regulus parroted. "You might have to be disinherited."

"As of yet, Blood is still thicker than water." Sirius itched to throw his pillow at his brother. "I'd have to do something far worse than be sorted into the wrong house for inheritance to come into play."

"Pity." Regulus pouted.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Unless you've really honed your wand skills you're going to find it hard to oust me."

"Well," Regulus smirked. "I'm going to be a Slytherin. So I'll think of something."

"I'm sure you will." Sirius allowed. He would almost welcomed a day when the history and importance of the Blacks was no longer on his shoulders.

"Sir?" Regulus was suddenly solemn. "How is Hogwarts really? Mother says she can't wait until I go."

"It's okay," Sirius shrugged. "A bit odd not being with Mother and Father all the time, but your kept busy enough you probably won't mind."

"Did you mind?" Regulus inquired.

"No," Sirius smiled slightly. "I did feel a little out of place at first. However, I got over it."

Regulus nodded. "Did you miss me?"

Sirius smiled fully this time. "Of course."

Regulus grinned back. "Did you hear about Jonathan?"

"Yes," Sirius snorted. "Severus shared that bit of information with me."

"Well, that is what he gets for prancing around with such dirt." Regulus shook his head sadly.

"I also heard his bride is with Child." Sirius imparted.

Regulus furrowed his brow. "Who?"

"Trix didn't tell us all that part." Sirius shrugged. "But in the end who would want to sleep with Sarah Parkinson?"

"Hmmm..." Regulus looked thoughtful. "The only one I can think of is Lucius."

Sirius ran down the list of possible fathers as well. "Not Malfoy Senior?"

"I think he has better taste than that." Regulus shrugged. "The last I heard on that count was that he was after Ursa."

"I can't believe that Samuel took that well." Sirius tilted his head in thought.

"Well," Regulus shrugged again. "You notice that 'cissa is Lucius's intended now."

A squeak from the door alerted the brother's the presence of a House-Elf. "Master Reggi." The elf bowed. "Missitress says you to go to Nursery."

Regulus sighed and headed for the door with out a glance to his brother.

The Elf waited until he had left before turning to her other Master. "Master Sirius," the Elf gulped. "Missitress is saying you to come to Library in an hour."

Sirius nodded his understanding as the creature withdrew. As a personal preference he had never really liked House-Elfs. The entire idea that a species would subjugate themselves like that. He shuddered as the door closed behind the Elf.

Once he was alone he ran over his conversation with Regulus. His mother was obviously spending a lot of time with her younger son. 'Probably hoping that if she trains him right he won't turn out to be another Gryffindor.' He snorted. 'Though with him practically being her dummy I don't see how that could happen.'

Regulus was the spare and as such the creed of the pureblooded dictated he was a lackey. Not worth much unless one of the families only produced girls, or the heir died.

'And yet she talks freely in front of him.' Sirius mused. 'Though not that freely. Either that or she doesn't know about Sarah's pregnancy.'

Sirius sighed and turned his thoughts to focus more on the woman who had given him birth. 'It's not like I begged to be different. Maybe she just shouldn't have set her sights so high.' Knowing his mother it wouldn't have surprised him to find out she had already ordered cards announcing his becoming Head-Boy in Slytherin green.

Sirius began to laugh. 'The woman lives and breathes her pureblooded status. I still can't believe she actually came to the station today. She floos everywhere she can't apparate to just to avoid any defilement.'

'I wish I could have stayed at Hogwarts.' Sirius shook his head. 'Not that I'll ever tell Regulus that. He would just tell her.

Sirius sighed again and looked at the clock. 'And what am I going to tell James?'


The library was surprisingly warm. The rest of the house was in its normal winter freeze, but the rooms that his mother frequented were apparently held at different rules.

Mrs. Black looked up from her desk at the sound of his footsteps. "Sit." She gestured to one of the chairs in front of her.

Sirius slid into the chair and waited. His mother seemed in no hurry to explain the reason for the interview so he allowed his mind to wander.

"Now." Arachne Black's voice cut through his thoughts minutes later. "I want to talk to you about a very serious issue."

She sighed, "this issue is even more important now that you have been sorted into a house known to house much of the Mudbloods that pass through Hogwarts."

She paused. "I'm sure you've heard of Jonathan Crabbe's recent transgressions. I wish to stress that on your part such activities must be conducted with cautionary measures. There are potions that can prevent such incidents and I expect you to be smart enough to find and use them."

Sirius blinked. "Of course Mother."

"In other related matters, I must warn you that pureblooded girls are not the best choice for such activities. You are the heir to the Black family and, your Hogwarts career notwithstanding, a match that any family would be proud to make."

Mrs. Black closely regarded her son. "I know you feel you are young yet to be thinking of marriage. However, there won't always be a Jonathan to throw your castoffs to. So do try to be careful."

"Yes mother." Sirius nodded.

"Good boy." Mrs. Black said in a tone that was as close to affection as he had ever heard from her. "Do you have any question?"

"No Mother," Sirius replied. The hope that he might now be able to leave the library was rising inside him.

"Good." Mrs. Black smiled. "Now why don't you tell me about Remus Lupin?"

"He is an only child," Sirius began with a sinking heart. "His parents, though well situated in society and thus most likely in wealth, are leaving him at Hogwarts over the break." He stopped as his mother made a noise.

She waved a hand at him. "Go on."

"He is also rather sickly, ending up in the Infirmary at least once a month." Sirius sighed as he ended his report. He knew what was going to happen next.

"Nothing more?" Mrs. Black raised her eyebrow.

"One of my roommates found your letters to me. The ones telling me to get close to Remus." Sirius didn't even think of lying.

"And he told Lupin." Mrs. Black's face changed from slightly pleasant to nasty.

"There was nothing I could do." Sirius protested weakly. "Peter...." He was cut off by his mother's sharp glance.

"This Peter would be the Pettigrew, right?" She asked dangerously.

"Yes." Sirius shrank back in his chair.

"I shall deal with him." Mrs. Black announced drawing out her wand. "But first, you."


End Notes:

- Yes, I did have to leave it there.

- Regulus calls Sirius 'Sir' read that as Seer.

- Please Review.