A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I hadn't realized I had gotten any reviews until yesterday, when I could actually see then because of the backlog that happened. And then I couldn't even log in because of the problems they were having with the server. So thanks to all those who reviewed.

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters except for those that are mine.

Platform 9 ¾ was bustlingly with activity. Sirius looked around anxiously with anticipation. He lagged slightly behind his family. They all wore midnight blue robes and the Black crest bold in silver on the right of their robes. No one, at least no one in the Wizarding world, could have mistaken they were from the "Most Ancient and Noble House of Black".

Andromeda saw some of her Ravenclaw friends and bade goodbye to the family. She was in her fifth year, Narcissa was in her 7th, and Bellatrix was in her second year.

"Good luck, Sirius," Andromeda called, "I'll see you later on the train."

"You're not to sit with her, understood?" his mother said fiercely. The family feared Andromeda. She might contaminate him and Sirius must get into Slytherin at all cost.

"You are to stay with Narcissa and Bellatrix. They will watch over you and introduce you to the right people. Are you listening Sirius?"

"Yes mother."

His father then took him to the side. He was handed a small package tied with a green ribbon.

"You may open this up after you are sorted into Slytherin. It's a family gift. You will not dishonor the family name. I expect exemplarily reports about your behavior from your cousins. Stay out of trouble. Your mother and I expect top marks in all your classes."

"Yes, sir," Sirius answered only half listening because he was watching a particular family. Some messy-black hair boy could barely stand still as his parents hugged him goodbye. His mother hugged him a little too long to his liking and the boy brushed his mother off him.

Sirius's father looked around his eyes falling only on the mudbloods. They weren't that hard to notice. They were dressed in strange clothing, looked around with wonder at normal things such as owls in cages, and were generally quieter. Sirius's contact with muggles and mudbloods had been very limited.

"My sister was right. Hogwarts is going to shambles with the increase in mudbloods. My suspicions of the new headmaster Dumbledore were correct."

Narcissa moved closer to him, "We really need to board the train now Uncle. Follow us, Sirius."

His father shook his hand. He couldn't remember the last time he had received a hug. "You stay with your cousins and everything will go as planned."

Narcissa, Bellatrix and Sirius all did a quick bow. His mother patted his shoulder and pushed him toward the already retreating figures of his cousins. Bella looked behind her, "Hurry up, Sirius!" she commanded.

Just as they boarded the train, a smooth slick voice said, "Well if isn't the gorgeous Black sisters."

"Lucius! How was your summer?" Narcissa asked sweetly batting her eyelashes.

"I couldn't complain," he drawled his eyes traveled up her body and she blushed.

Bellatrix cleared her throat, "This is our cousin, Sirius Black. Heir to the Black fortune. He'll be joining us in Slytherin."

Lucius tore his eyes away and his cold eyes rested now on Sirius.

"Ah, yes, I have been informed about another Black coming to Hogwarts," he smirked, "I've heard much about you. Pity we haven't met before." Sirius shook his hand.

"His mother is very particular about who her son's come in contact with. Only family until Hogwarts," Narcissa informed. She now clearly was jealous of the attention Sirius was getting.

"Well if your parents raised you right, I expect great things from any Black, especially their heir. Off course I've heard you've been giving your family problems…"

"They've been fixed!" hissed Narcissa, "He won't be giving us any problems. Let's go sit down and catch up, Lucius."

Sirius glared at his cousin's turned back. How had Malfoy found out about all that? Usually family problems and business were guarded…nothing was ever told if it would harm the family name. Unless…it was another ploy to get him to behave properly.

"I need to use the bathroom," Sirius said quickly. Neither of his cousins seemed to care. Narcissa was all over Lucius and Bellatrix had greeted her friends. He would go crazy if he had to sit with them. He would find another compartment, as long as he stayed away from mudbloods, he shouldn't get in too much trouble. The only compartment available was the last one and thankfully only two boys were in there both wearing wizard's robes (meaning they must be from wizard families).

"Do you mind?"

The chubby small boy jumped to his feet nervously and shook his head. The other boy looked very pale and was asleep. Was he sick?

Before Sirius could introduce himself, though his robes made it clear who he was, the boy he had seen hugging his parents burst into the compartment mumbling incoherently. He stopped and surveyed the three carefully before grinning widely.

"James Potter!" he said offering his hand with a smile.

Sirius was startled by the boy's openness and the fact that he seemed vaguely familiar (besides seeing him on the platform).

"Peter Pettigrew," the small boy piped.

"Uh, Sirius Black," he said uncertainly.

"You're a Black?!" Peter said and closed his mouth realizing he had said that out loud.

"You have a problem with that?" Sirius growled.

"Is your father Jacob?" James asked suddenly, "Jacob Black?"

"Yes."

"I believe our father's do business together," he said simply. He never heard of the Pettigrews. The Potter's were on the don't friend list, though their father's worked together, so he couldn't get in trouble for sitting with him. Right? It wasn't like they were going to be friends. Sirius just needed a place to sit away from his manic cousins.

James sat down next to Sirius and across from Peter and the sleeping boy.

"Train sure fills up. I saw your family leaving. Sure seems like a lively bunch. Do you always dress in matching robes?" James teased.

Sirius tensed for a moment. Was this boy mocking the noble Black name? Then he realized from the smile on his face that he was joking. He wasn't used to this. Everything at home was always somber and serious.

Sirius laughed, "My family is big on making impressions. Have you heard a lot about the Blacks?" Sirius wanted to know ahead of time what preconceived notions anyone had about his family.

"No," James said sourly, "My parents never talk or gossip about anything important while I'm around."

The train suddenly hit a bump causing James to slide into Sirius and it woke up the sandy-haired sleeping boy. He looked around startled that the empty compartment he had fallen asleep in was occupied. His eyes held distrust and his gaze was suspicious.

"Hi, I'm James Potter. This is Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black." The poor boy was also taken aback by James's forwardness.

"I'm R-r-remus Lupin. Sorry about that."

"Sorry about what?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Falling asleep…I've been sick…" he trailed off. Sirius had a feeling the boy was hiding something.

"Have you heard anything about this sorting we have to go through?" James asked.

"I heard we had to duel someone or something…" Peter said worry evident in his voice.

"No. No one would tell me, but it's painless," James assured Peter.

"What house do you want to be in?" Sirius asked tentatively.

"Gryffindor, off course! It's the best house. My whole family has been in it. You?" James said.

"Don't know," Sirius said carefully. He knew Slytherins and Gryffindors were rivals, and he didn't want to start an argument with James.

James pretended to study Sirius, "You look like a Gryffindor. Definitely."

Sirius gave a hollow laugh. Yeah, right James. He couldn't believe James's parents had never warned him about the Blacks. He knew his family was feared.

"I'll probably be in Hufflepuff," Peter said sorrowful, "At least that's what most of my family is expecting."

"What about you Remus?" James asked.

"Don't know either. I'm just glad to be here at Hogwarts."

The door opened and an older boy with a badge carefully pinned peeked inside. "Everything alright in here? Hey James."

"Hiya Frederick," James called, "He's my cousin. Fifth year and a Prefect." James made a face as he said the word 'Prefect'.

"Yes the whole family was ecstatic. Promise not to give me too hard a time, if you make it into Gryffindor?"

"Can't promise you anything…" James's grin was now mischievous.

Frederick now looked at the other boys in the compartment and when his eyes fell on the Black crest they narrowed.

"He's not giving you any trouble, is he James?" His eyes never leaving Sirius's face.

"What are you talking about?" James said crossly. Frederick opened his mouth to elaborate on the point when the door opened again. Apparently the day was only going to get worse.

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James was confused by the open hostility Frederick showed to Sirius. He was pretty sure they hadn't met before. Through eaves dropping, James had heard his family speak ill of the Blacks and his mother had voiced her concern about the welfare of the Black's two sons. Their father's did work together, but the Blacks were never guests at their parties. He knew, as did any wizard child, that the Black family as well as a handful of others was into the Dark Arts. These few pureblood families openly preached their ideas. Was Sirius like that?

A girl suddenly appeared in the doorway wearing the same robe as Sirius.

"For crying out loud, there you are, Sirius!" She looked around disdainfully, "Why the hell are you in here for?" She stepped forward and grabbed Sirius by the arm, "We leave you alone for one second and I find you in the company of riffraff like the Potters and the Wards."

"I think you should leave Miss Black, I don't want any trouble."

The girl smiled a sweet smile, "I've just come to fetch my hopeless cousin. I can't believe they made you a prefect Ward!"

She pushed Sirius toward the door, he seemed to be watching the scene helplessly.

"Your parents will hear of this! Sharing a compartment with the blood-traiting Potters! What is wrong with you?! Crabbe, Goyle, take him to Malfoy's compartment." She hadn't come alone. James watched as two mean looking Slytherins took a hold of Sirius. They towered over him, he was pushed to the ground, and then half picked up, and half dragged down the train. Though many students watched the boys drag the first year, kicking him every so often, no one moved to stop it.

James knew of the Malfoy's. They were another family his parents disliked, but they were invited to dinners because of their influence. The presence of the Malfoy's at your party attracted the guests that were required for it to be a success. James had met their only and eldest son. He was a spoiled rotten kid who felt he was better then everyone and to make matters worse was in Slytherin.

"Frederick!" James called, "Aren't you going to stop them?! You are a Prefect."

Frederick shrugged, "Family business. And he probably deserves it."

James watched his cousin in astonishment as he headed in the opposite way. The noise subsided as Sirius was taken into a front compartment. He sat back down and silently watched Remus and Peter trade Chocolate Frog cards.

A/N: Please read and review as always