Part Sixteen: Another Year
Sirius found the beginning of the second semester much like the first. The only differences were in how his roommates treated him. Remus seemed distant to Sirius, ever since the night they had returned to Hogwarts and the golden eyed boy had seen Sirius downing his potion in the washroom. The only reason Sirius could think of for Remus's withdrawal is that the other boy had recognized the potion that Sirius had taken.
'Which is impossible.' Sirius had thought. 'There is no way a Human could have smelled the scents from the other side of the room.'
James, on the other hand, seemed to want to make up for all that had the he had done to Sirius in the first semester. He all but glued himself to Sirius's side. This was only a problem when Sirius wanted to talk to Severus who was still on James's black list. Only Peter remained basically the same, blowing hot and cold toward the darker boy depending on things that Sirius couldn't even discern.
The weeks began to blur as class after class happened until the day that Sirius and James entered the Great Hall to be greeted by Andromeda with a huge smile on her face.
"Happy Birthday Cousin." She kissed his cheek. "I don't think you've read these books yet." She handed him a brightly wrapped package.
Sirius smiled in return and shoved the package into his book bag. "I'll open it after breakfast and let you know." He promised.
She gave him another kiss and moved toward the Ravenclaw table.
"I didn't know it was your birthday," James accused as the two sat down at the Gryffindor table. "I would have gotten you a gift otherwise."
"And would this gift have been like the one I received for Christmas?" Sirius rolled his eyes. "One of my own books returned to me?"
James grinned. "Probably."
The two boys were almost down with breakfast when Remus and Peter joined them.
Remus yawned and thrust a package in Sirius's direction. "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you." Sirius murmured.
"Open it." Remus urged while placing his head on the table.
"I don't think this one is in danger of suffocation," Sirius said raising his eyebrow.
Remus shrugged. "You're no fun."
Sirius sighed as he placed the gift with Andromeda's in his bag. "I just want to wait until later to open all my gifts."
The owl post flew over head just as he made this pronouncement. Sirius was relieved when no packages were dropped off for him.
"Why so unenthusiastic?" James asked.
"I just don't like my birthday." Sirius shrugged as he stood up. "I'm off for the library."
"I'll join you in a little while." Remus said not picking his head off the table.
Sirius looked toward his other two roommates but they both shook their heads.
"I can't stand the library." James said piling his plate up again. "Plus, who wants to be cooped up on a Saturday when the Quidditch team is practicing?"
Sirius smiled slightly as he left the Great Hall, but soon a sense of dread fell over him. While a birthday with no present from his mother was a nice prospect, he couldn't imagine that it boded well for him.
"James? Peter?" Sirius called out as he entered the first year dorm room. He had left Remus in the library still studying for a Potions quiz they had on Monday. "Thank God." He said out loud when no one answered. He dropped his book bag onto his bed next to a pile of packages that had arrived while he was out.
He took out the presents he had received during breakfast and placed them on his bookshelf. The Chronicles of Narnia were from Remus, and the complete works of E. Nesbit were Andromeda's contribution.
'Damn.' Sirius thought as he recognized his mother's writing on the top package. 'Thought I would, I guess, I wasn't....'
Sirius sighed and pulled the package to him. 'Clothes.' He thought feeling it give under his hands. 'At least it isn't a still beating heart.' He tore the paper off the package and tossed the three shirts and two pairs of trousers onto his trunk. He looked at the rolled parchment that accompanied the package with some trepidation. 'Can't she have sent the present with out the three foot long letter?'
My Son,
It has been pointed out to me that most Gryffindors lack taste. Just take that fool Dumbledore for example. So I am sending you clothing in the hopes that I will be able to stave off whatever entropy that house causes on fashion sense.
Your father and I will be hosting a ball over your Easter break in honor of your cousin's engagement, your attendance is not required. Though one day it would be nice to know that I can trust you at a Ball to dance not just sit off in a corner and mope with Severus. Really I don't know why I ever allowed your friendship in the first place, the Snapes are not the most sociable of people. You wouldn't believe what Lady Malfoy was telling me about Ursa the other day, but that is not a tale for your ears.
I hope that you have been able to ignore your roommates so far this term. I know it pains you to be with those terribly common boys. I saw you with that Pettigrew boy during the Christmas Crush, and I must say you were being polite. Which is only to be expected, I trained you after all. However I did see your pain.
Don't give up hope, we not only have Dumbledore's promise of a possible resorting, but the Malfoys are already asking after you for Impetua.
I shouldn't have to remind you what is at stake in your life, but I didn't carry you around for nine months and then go through so much pain birthing you just to see you fail.
Your Mother,
Arachne Black
'At least I know why I was spared any conversations with her during the rest of Christmas break.' Sirius put the letter aside. 'Though why she thinks anything Lady Malfoy could have told her about Ursa would be something that might be inappropriate I don't know. Her sense of propriety kicks in at the oddest times.'
The writing on the next gift made Sirius smile. 'Though I am well aware that Mother most likely picked this gift out it is still nice that Regulus at least nominally sent a present.' His mother most likely hadn't even told Regulus what the gift was since the younger boy would most likely have wanted to keep the gift for himself.
The wrapping revealed a box of chocolates. 'One of the most impersonal gifts ever.' He thought shaking his head he grabbed his wand and murmured a few charms. 'At least I'll be able to share them with my roommates.'
The next gift was a framed picture of him and Impetua taken while at the Crabbe's party. He rolled his eye and tossed the picture over to the trunk with his new clothes.
Sirius,
Hey, just hoping that your birthday is as memorable as our time together at the Crabbes. As a reminder of that time I hope you like the gift.
Love,
Impetua
He tossed the card into the trash bin by his bedside and picked up the last package. His breath caught as he noticed the unfamiliar hand that had written his name. The seal of the House of Slytherin adorned the sliver and green wrapping paper.
He opened the paper slowly to reveal two leather-bound books. He opened the first one to reveal the title, Alice In Wonderland. A piece of paper fell out of the second book when he picked it up.
Mr. Black,
I know that sending you a gift is slightly presumptuous of me. However, I would like for us to be friends, and see this as an opportunity to further this cause with you.
I have learned both of your birth date and of your interest in things of the Muggle variety from your cousin. A most delightful girl.
I enjoyed these books in my past and hope that you do in the future.
Your Servant,
Lord Voldemort
End Notes:
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