"Lock I did not mean to make the idiot a mess, but she insulted me." Zaria slumped against a tree. Her blue eyes shimmering against the night's half moon, "I can't control what happens sometimes…it just happens." She looked at the house elf, who seemed to nod in understanding. "I just want to go home…" she whispered as she lowered herself into the grass, not caring if her dress got soiled or not.

"Yes…misses you must bes careful though. There be some horrid rotten whispers going around. You's be young and in danger if you's not careful." The house elf's eyes widened as he glanced around quickly in fear. Zaria's eyes narrowed as she looked up watching as two tall dark figures approached the courtyard.

The men's shoulders heaved enraged as they walked away from the lights of the party and towards Zaria's hiding place. She tucked her feet under her in a ball and motioned Lock to not make a sound.

"Those filthy traitors…how dare they.." Osidian Black's deep voice was sharp against the already crisp night air, "The Potters and Lupins…damn Weasleys seem all too against our own agenda. Mudblood lovers…."

"Osidian…" the older man placed his hand on Osidian's shaking shoulder, "We must not cause a scene tonight. The time will come when they will face their worst. Lord Voldemort will see to their deaths. There is a new time arising. One where the color of our blood will matter...." The man's voice sounded hushed and harsh.

"You are right cousin." Osidian gripped the man's hand brotherly and smirked, "They will see that blood means power in time and if they refuse…they will be destroyed." He sighed as his shoulders seemed to be relieved of some tension.

"OSIDIAN!" Margaret's voice seemed to call into the night as her slender frame moved out into the courtyard. Worry flashed in her eyes, "Osidian…Sirius…" she sighed as though relieved, "I thought you were going to do something risky." Her voice hushed as she touched her husbands arm. Sirius Sr. smirked and bowed his head lightly towards her.

"Do not worry love, time will come to take action against those filthy muggle lovers." Osidian smiled kissing her forhead, "Your pain will be relieved…no more guilt to weight down your conscious."

"Time will tell Margaret. For now it would be best to stay the smiling courteous hostess that you are." Sirius raised an eyebrow as she nodded.

"You are right. Lord Voldemort will not be pleased if we do anything rash." She eyed Osidian for a moment. She knew the man's quick temper and vengeance on her part. "Revenge takes time..." she whispered as she squeezed his hand.

"Come, some of our guests will be wondering where we are." Osidian took his wife's arm and led the way back into the lighted ballroom.

Zaria narrowed her eyes, "Voldemort" she whispered a chill ran over her arms, "who in bloody hell is that?"

"Evil…bad man Miss Zaria.." Lock seemed to shiver as he twisted his clothing, "I should not tell you miss Zaria, but I am to look after yous…yous can not repeat whats you heard…Locks not going to let misses get hurt…nos hes not." The elf's ears bent as he again trembled at his words.

"Lock what under the heavens names are you rambling on about?" she stood up brushing her locks back, "I am in no danger. Margaret's not exactly motherly, but I am her only kid. She would not let anything happen to me. Remember I am her guilt child."
"Guilt child huh? I would have thought you more of an entertainment?" A voice chuckled from the side. A sudden pop rang in the air. Zaria turned eyeing the spot where Lock had disapperated from and three teenage boys replaced him.

Zaria turned, her eyes flashing as she felt the heat rising once more in her cheeks, "Who the hell are you?" she felt the familiar defensive tingle rising in her once more. The same tingle that sent Patricia down.

"Hey hey now Sirius be nice to your cousin. She took out one of the biggest gits we know." Zaria's eyes moved to the other side of Sirius towards two other boys in tow. One whose brown eyes seemed to twinkle as he pushed up his glasses and smile down at her. The other nodded kindly in her direction, his brown locks falling against his face.

"We just came here to compliment you on the bloody fine job you did back there on ol' snot nosed Pat." The boy with glasses held out his hand in her direction, "James Potter here…." Zaria looked at the hand suspiciously and nodded turning to go.

"What no name?" James mocked a sad face as she sighed rolling her eyes. She had no time for boys or their tricks. At least she knew she could turn them into hair balls if they pressed her too much.

"Zaria…" she turned watching them, "Zaria Moody…not Black..." she spat out as she crossed her arms.

"Hey not all Blacks are as creepy as those gits in there. And I happen to be one of the most handsome…intelligent….funniest…" James nudged him, "alright alright, I am Sirius Black…your humble cousin." The black haired boy did a mock bow and curtsy almost making Zaria crack a smile. She turned her gaze at the third one.

"And I am Remus…" The boy smiled down at her slightly intrigued at her spunk.

"Yes Moony…Padfoot…I do believe Miss Zaria will fit in well at Hogwarts…Perhaps she will even get a chance to be in the best house…" James smirked at the girl, "Gryffindor is the best house there is…us being 5th years of course will be to your advantage."

"Though some of the ones you met tonight might pressure you into thinking Slytherin is the best." Remus smirked, "Unfortunately Slytherin couldn't hold us..."

"Yea well I am not 'pure' blood as everyone thinks…so Slytherin won't take me..." Zaria started. Reading Hogwarts A History had seemed to help confirm the history of the great school. Her eyes darkened as she turned from the boys looking back at the courtyard. Margaret's words stung.

"Don't worry kid..." Sirius started to put his large hand on the girl's shoulder, oddly enough he knew the feeling of being different, "I have been there…I was a big disappointment. A Black not in Slytherin is close to Hell freezing over." He smiled and looked at his friends as Zaria pulled back slightly. These boys were kind to her for some reason. Still why should she trust them? They were probably like everyone else in her life.

"Yea…well I don't worry. Margaret would spit broomsticks if I get into another house…" she laughed slightly, "so I will not be disappointed when I end up elsewhere than Slytherin."

The boys looked at each other for a moment before laughing along with her.

"Yea kid you aren't going to fit into the family either huh?" Sirius smirked amusement in his face, "I suppose us outcasts will have to stick together."

This was the start to an oddly wonderful relationship.