Chapter 1: The Dreaded Christmas Holiday

"Sirius!"

Sirius Black, a 16-year old boy wizard, had been living in Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place all his life. This day was mostly like every other, but this time it was his younger brother Regulus' 12th birthday. Sirius was dreading it, like all other days, wishing only to go back to Hogwarts. His mother screeched his name once again.

"Sirius Black, if you don't get down here this instant, I swear to Merlin I'll-"

"I'm coming, Mum," Sirius called back glumly as he made his way down the stairs.

He reached the basement kitchen and, taking a deep breath, pushed open the door and entered.

A revolting sight greeted Sirius' eyes. The whole room had been decorated (no doubt by Kreacher), but all was dark. Dark shapes were floating in the air and a dark cake adorned with dimly lit candles was being watched over by Regulus.

Kreacher, the house-elf walked past Sirius, muttering something perfectly audible under his breath.

"Oh horrid, horrid boy, piece of scum and vermin, disgrace to the family, trying to ruin my young master's birthday. Oh, what Mistress would do if she found out…"

Sirius' mother, father, and Regulus were sitting at the table, glaring at him. Sirius sighed.

"Blow out your candles, Reggie," said Mrs. Black in a sweet, sugary voice quite unlike her own. Sirius gagged.

Apparently, this was a wrong move, for Mrs. Black seemed to have eyes in the back of her head that Sirius didn't know about.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, SIRIUS! DON'T YOU DARE! JUST BECAUSE REGULUS IS WONDERFUL AND YOU'RE NOT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN MAKE FUN OF REGGIE BEHIND MY BACK AND THING I WON'T NOTICE!"

Oh, old woman, if only you knew, Sirius thought bitterly. And with that thought, he stomped of to bed.

The last thing he heard that night as he was nearing the top of the stairs was his mother's voice, talking to her husband:

"Oh, dear, have you heard what Sirius has said about James? He fancies that Mudblood(she spat out the name like a curse word) Evans.  Oh dear, I worry about that child.  He comes from such a good family… I wonder what his dear parents would say if they found out…

Sirius held back the anger bubbling inside him and went silently to his room. He couldn't wait for tomorrow, when he would see James, Remus, and Peter again on the train back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At last the Christmas holidays were over.