Again I Turn Around to You

Part Thirteen: Windmills of Your Mind

Sirius tensed as the door opened. He relaxed again as Severus entered, quickly shutting the door behind him.

"Thank God." Sirius regarded his friend. "I was half afraid that someone like Lucius would end up my roommate this year."

"Lucius has a room to himself," Severus smirked. "As befits the Malfoy heir. I heard him tell my sister the password."

"Isn't it amazing that we seem to blend in with the tapestries." Sirius resumed the search through his bag that Severus had interrupted.

"Only last year we were in the Nursery," Severus jumped onto the bed. "Now look at us, banished to the attic."

"Better the attic in disgrace then some of the other rooms I could name." Sirius pulled the potions vial.

"True." Severus's eyes narrowed as he watched Sirius down the contents. "I see the vial is together again."

"Very much so." Sirius agreed. "And none to soon."

"What did you do this time?" Severus asked softly.

"I let Lupin find out about my parents desire for me to befriend him." Sirius shrugged.

Severus winced. "Not the brightest of moves."

"Tell me how I was to stop Pettigrew from informing him then?" Sirius demanded.

"A few well placed hexes coupled with a memory charm could have done the trick." Severus bounced on the bed.

"In the middle of the Gryffindor Common room?" Sirius let the vial fall back into his bag. "I don't think my mother could get away with that."

Severus shrugged. "Parents are an illogical lot."

"And we offspring are to bare their crosses," Sirius smiled.

The two boys shook their heads in unison.

"So why are you banished to my company." Sirius inquired. "I really thought I was to room with one of the newer families for my thoughtlessness."

"The Malfoys are at odds with my family," Severus explained. "The Crabbes eat out of the Malfoy hands so, I am relegated to sleeping with the Gryffindor."

"When is dinner." Sirius pulled out his dress robe.

"Such a Gryffindor attitude," Severus teased. "Thinking with your stomach."

"Actually," Sirius smoothed the wrinkles out of the fabric. "I was thinking of when we would have to present ourselves to the rest of the party."

"It depends on whether or not Lord Voldemort has arrived." Severus lay back on the bed.

"I haven't seen him in years." Sirius grinned at the memory. "Not since Jonathan got so 'sick' at the Lestranges that he threw up over everyone."

Severus laughed. "A warning to all us younger ones that drinking only acceptable up to a point."

A gong sounded through the house waking up a ghoul who resided above the boy's room.

"I guess my preparations where the right ones to make." Sirius smirked as he pulled on his robe.

"Quiet you!" Severus mumbled as he hurried through his dressing.


Sirius quickly glanced around the drawing room for his mother, he sighed in relief when he saw that her attention was fixed on the man beside her.

"Why Severus," Justina simpered dragging Sharlene over to the boys. "I thought you said that you weren't friends with Black."

"If you were familiar at all with the Black family, you might know not to pitch your voice so loud." Severus raised an eyebrow at the girl as Bellatrix approached them.

"How true dear Severus," Bellatrix smiled down at him before turning her gaze to Justina. "Now darling Justina..."

Sirius moved back knowing what would follow when his cousin took that tone.

"I know that the Warringtons are a new family to our circle. It is understandable that as Americans you might not be aware of our social standings." The tall black haired girl leaned down to Justina's eye level. "But no one casts aspirations on the Black family name."

Justina gulped and moved slightly away.

"Now, now." A new voice entered into the conversation. "There is no need for you children to be squabbling."

Sirius looked up at the new comer, Voldemort hadn't changed much since the Lestrange's party there was a touch more gray around his temples but his face remained as youthful as it had ever been.

"We are the elite of the Wizarding world." The man continued. "Even if one of our number should end up in a house that allows the inferior wizards in, we must be tolerant."

"Thank you My Lord." Sirius bowed, he was aware that his mother was watching the exchange with interest.

Voldemort smiled at him. "I hope that the traditional battle between our houses can at least be put aside for this holiday."

"Well said My Lord." The Senior Malfoy hastened to compliment.

A bell rang for dinner and Sirius nearly slumped to the floor as Voldemort's gaze left him. He didn't now what it was exactly that put him off, but he didn't want to be caught alone with the last of the Slytherins.


The table seating the students had the look of a swift rearranging. Since Lord Voldemort had shown favor to Sirius his status had changed from the social outcast that any Gryffindor would make among the pureblooded.

'Not that it is much of an improvement.' Sirius sighed sitting down. 'I just don't have to partner with Justina and Evelyn.'

Severus was seated where Sirius believed his seat was originally and he seemed less than thrilled with the girls' conversation. Meanwhile Sirius had to endure the conversation of Impetua Malfoy. Andromeda, who was seated on his left, was too busy ignoring everyone else to allow him much of an escape from the blond girl's full attention.

"So I was thinking that if Slytherins and Gryffindors are ever in a class together we might make good partners." Impetua smiled at him. "We are of a kind you know."

"We don't really have to worry about that just yet." Sirius nearly choked on his food. "Besides I'm sure that someone like you deserves a partner who is more study minded."

Impetua pouted. "Narcissa was telling me that your mother was teaching you before Hogwarts and that in fact you and your brother could probably pass the OWLs with very little problem."

Sirius blinked. "My mother is indeed a very stern task master, however I was thinking that it might do your reputation harm to be seen with me. I am still a Gryffindor."

"Lord Voldemort spoke on your behalf though," Impetua smiled. "Though it is nice that you're concerned for me. It is one of the marks of a true gentleman."

"And one of the marks of a true Gryffindor." Terrence Elmont put in.

"Quiet!" Impetua hissed, she stopped to regain her composure before continuing. "There has been talk that he might be returned to us next year. Mother told me that Dumbledore has said he may be resorted."

Andromeda rolled her eyes and leaned across her cousin. "Impetua, you're way to young to be attempting to make your marriage. Give it a few years before trying to climb your way into House of Black."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Impetua gave the other girl a look that Sirius had seen more often on Lucius's face. "The families have always prided themselves on keeping the bloodlines pure. One way to do this is to make sure that our mistakes are already taken care of."

"You really think that Sirius will ever be a Slytherin?" Andromeda stared at the girl. "He is more likely to end up in Hufflepuff."

"Better a Hufflepuff than a Gryffindor." Terrence put forward.

"However," Sirius cut in before the situation could become a shouting match. "At the moment I am a Gryffindor."

He turned to Impetua. "And as such I cannot bring myself to tarnish the reputation of one so pure." Andromeda gave a snort of laugher but he refused to look at her. "Our mother's will in this matter is the ultimate decision and when the time comes for us to look for marriage I will remember that you once offered it."

Impetua smiled at him again. "It's nice to know that even though you were housed with the common shrubs, you haven't lost a single ounce of what makes you a Black."

Andromeda gagged next to him and he kicked her ankle.

Terrence, not to be outdone by Sirius, began a discussion of the Slytherin Head effectively cutting the sole Gryffindor out of the conversation.

"What's with all the speech making?" Andromeda whispered in his ear.

"Frankly I don't think I could take the Malfoy's out for my blood as well as my mother." He whispered back. "She is upset about something that happened during school."

"You do realize that Impetua is going to relate the entire conversation to her mother." Andromeda pointed out. "And Lady Malfoy isn't about to pass up an opportunity to tell your mother, as well as the rest of the bower."

"I know," Sirius nearly shrugged. "I am sort of counting on it."

"Oh?" Andromeda raised her eyebrow.

"I don't really intend to let myself get resorted." Sirius admitted. "And after two years at Hogwarts my mother is going to consider me a lost cause."

"And?" Andromeda prompted.

Sirius leaned closer. "If I remain on Impetua's good side through out this all, then I don't have to worry about my mother just offing me in favor of Regulus."


It was barely past dawn when Ursa burst into the room Sirius and Severus shared. Both boys groaned as the older girl threw the drapes aside to let the light flood the room.

"Come on Severus!" Ursa barked. "You will need to be seen at the activities today, so you might as well get up now."

"Up..." Severus echoed.

"Well?" Ursa towered over the bed. "We don't have all day."

"Day?" Sirius mumbled as he slid out of his cocoon.

"Yes day!" Ursa smiled at him. "Your cousin is looking for you. So you'd better hurry down to breakfast."

"Cousin." Sirius winced.

"Ursa." Severus whined from under his covers. "I'm not moving until you go away."

Ursa rolled her eyes. "It's not like you have anything I haven't seen before."

"Not the point." Severus grumbled.

"Fine," Ursa sighed. "You have ten minutes to be ready, otherwise I'll come back with help."

Severus waited until she left then buried his head under his pillow.

"Activities?" Sirius took clean clothes out of his bag.

"Remember last year?" Severus's voice was muffled but still intelligible. "Like that, only I don't think we'll be playing put the iron on the House Elf."

"No activities." Sirius shook his head.

"Then you should be gone when Ursa returns." Severus yawned. "I'll cover for you, but only if I don't know where you really are."

"Right." Sirius tossed Severus's bag at the other boys bed. "Just get dressed. Your sister mentioned back up."

"Should be amusing then." Severus took the pillow off his head. "Still not moving though."

"Good Luck," Sirius called over his shoulder as he left the room.

"Thanks." A pillow hit the door seconds after he closed it.

A short way down the hall Ursa stood looking down at her watch. "'Cissa and Trix are down at Breakfast already." She smiled at him as he passed. "They said your Gryffindor appetite would get you up just as well as they."

Sirius returned her smile. "Thanks."

Ursa gave him another smile before he turned the corner and started down the stairs.


The Crabbe's gardens planted to look amazing even in the winter months. Unfortunately the lack of snow on the ground made the sight that met Sirius's eyes look only muddy. He had decided to skip breakfast and whatever his cousins had planned for him, instead he found a bench in a corner out of the wind and pulled out his copy of Homer's Odyssey.

The sun was finally beginning to warm the air around him when someone sat down next to him.

"Not in a friendly sort of mood today?" The speaker was an older witch with pale skin and white hair that she always pulled back into a bun.

"Not really." Sirius agreed as he shrunk the book and returned it to his pocket. "You are not being social either, otherwise you would be off chasing the hounds."

'Damn!' He flinched at his own tone. 'Didn't mean it to sound like that.'

The woman laughed. "I haven't sat in a hunt in a long while. I find that animals offer very little in the way of sport. Humans on the other hand...." She smiled. "Now there is game."

"And in which season does one hunt Humans?" Sirius inquired politely.

"Any season that strikes your fancy." The woman looked down at him. "Where is the cat I sent you?"

"She adopted one of my roommates." Sirius leaned slightly away from Solaris, just in case she was angry.

"Hmm...." Solaris shook her head, "Sorry for that."

"Well, Remus really likes her." Sirius mentioned tentatively. "And she appears to reciprocate."

"This would be the Lupin boy we are talking about?" Solaris raised her eyebrow.

"Yes." Sirius looked around trying to figure out a way to escape the conversation.

Solaris shrugged. "This is good. It might possibly curry favor with the half-breeds, but how to let them know it was me...."

Sirius's brow furrowed in puzzlement. 'I didn't think Aunt Solaris was one that needed to sow favors. I was under the impression that she was a power in our circle.'

"I know what you're thinking." Solaris gave him a wry smile. "But my power is being eclipsed by Riddle. Already the Malfoys, Crabbes, and Macnairs have fallen into line."

"And where Malfoys lead...." Sirius raised his eyebrow in comprehension.

"Most are sure to follow." Solaris agreed.

"You know what I discovered during my days at Hogwarts?" Sirius waited patiently for the older witch to continue with her story. "I discovered that Gryffindors make the best confidants. Intelligent enough to understand, slow enough not to argue and loyal enough not to tell all and sundry."

Sirius nearly rolled his eyes.

"The so called 'Lord Voldemort' will attempt to woo your family before too long." Solaris continued without prompting. "Not that your parents will follow him."

Solaris smirked again. "But if you...."

Solaris was cut off as raised voices entered their section of the garden. As the other guests greeted Solaris, Sirius took the opportunity to flee to the inside of the house.

'Does everybody here see me as a puppet?' Sirius groaned in defeat as he heard more voices approaching him where he had entered the house in the library . He quickly ducked through what had once been a servants hall. 'And when I fail will they all react like mother?'

He shivered at the memory of their only interview since his return from Hogwarts. However, he had seen her give him an approving look the night before during dinner.

'What is Riddle to her?' Sirius wondered as he moved into the main house. 'She has always considered him beneath her due to his father being a Muggle.'

More voices caused him to enter a convenient door. A quick Lumos showed him that he was in a cloakroom. He leaned against the back wall of the closet and wished that just once he might find more than just clothes in a wardrobe.


The door to the closet was flung open causing Sirius to blink in the suddenly bright room. He peered up at the girl who towered over him.

Impetua's brow creased in puzzlement as she surveyed him and his new realm. "What are you doing here?"

Sirius shrugged, "Hiding."

"You weren't there at the beginning of the game." Impetua closed the door and sank to the floor next to him. "In fact, you weren't at any of today's activities."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I did say I was hiding."

"But why?" Impetua looked puzzled again. "You have Lord Voldemort's approval to be in Gryffindor, and that is the trouble?"

Sirius held back the retort that first came to mind. 'Why do I need Voldemort's approval?' Instead he opted for a simpler answer. "I've never credited certain members of our Crowd for much in the way of brains." He raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think that Gregory understands that I am okay to be around them now?"

"With Bellatrix falling over herself to be noticed by Lord Voldemort, I think you would have been fine." Impetua tilted her head. "Of course, that wouldn't have stopped them from ostracizing you."

"Why do you care about any of this?" Sirius asked after a moments reflection. "Why is what happens to me, what I do, any concern of yours?"

Impetua rolled her eyes. "You're lucky not to be in Slytherin. You don't have to play the same silly games that our parents play, all school year long."

Sirius sighed. "And your interest in me?"

"Can't I just like you?" Impetua asked softly. "You're not like the rest of us. You may not be innocent, but you are removed from our power plays. You're removed from us."

'Am I?' Sirius thought back to Solaris's near request. The image of the letter his mother had sent him flashed into his mind. "I don't think I am as far removed from the games as you seem to believe."

Impetua shook her head. "I am not talking about the games our parents play. None of us will ever be free of those." She sighed, "I'm sure you've noticed that the Slytherin table sits according to rank at meals."

Sirius shrugged. "I actually tend to ignore your side of the Great Hall and instead watch my own House."

Impetua grinned. "We heard that you got into a fight with your roommates. Is it true that you broke James Potter's nose with very own hand?" She touched his hands as if to emphasize her question.

"Ah," Sirius blinked at the twinkle of excitement that was apparent in her eyes. "Yes."

"Will you show me how?"


End Notes:

- This is not the last we've seen of Voldemort, not by a long shot.

- The potions bottle made an appearance and it was, gasp, full. What craziness is this?

- Please Review