Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is almighty ruler of the Harry Potter world and owns everything and anything about it.

A/N: Over a hundred reviews! Well this chapter is out at least sooner then the last two chapters were.

Please enjoy!

James sat down beside Remus with a sigh.

"So how did it go? What did he say?"

"I thanked him and he agreed on a truce."

"That's great."

"We'll see..."

"You did invite him to breakfast like we decided?"

"I did, but.."

"But?"

"I sort of left before he had a chance to answer, but it doesn't matter because we can't force him."

"We should wait for him tomorrow morning then," Remus said shuffling through the stack of papers in front of him.

"And if his answer was no?"

Remus looked at him with an expression of a tired worn out adult, "I'll wait for him. I'll think of some excuse that forced me to stay behind."

"Why do you want to get to know him so badly?"

"I know what its like to be lonely," Remus stood up all a sudden, "I have to look something up in the library."

James frowned at his friends retreating form. Sometimes Remus seemed so open with his thoughts and other times James had a sinking feeling there was some secret he was desperately hiding from the world. Maybe he wasn't being fair, he did enjoy Remus's company, but that didn't mean there wasn't a mystery to that boy.

"James Potter?" a female voice inquired and he glanced up to be blinded by a mass of red hair. It was the ever popular Miss Lily Evans. She was very opinionated for having learned about the world of magic only a few months ago. So far they had clashed on practically ever issue and Lily had severely hurt James when she said she wasn't the least bit interested in learning more about Quidditch then it was a bunch of people flying around trying to kill each other.

"Yes, Miss Evans, what can I do for you?" James knew from the past that it bugged her when he addressed her so formally.

"Glad to see you've recovered with no permanent damage to your personality."

"You were worried?"

"Merely curious on how you boys always get yourselves in the oddest of situations."

James shrugged smiling slightly.

"Have you started the Transfiguration homework yet?"

"Already finished it."

"Finished it?" she looked as if she hadn't expected him to have bothered to even crack open a book.

"Hearing trouble? It's finished."

"Well Andriana and I couldn't find the answer to number twelve We only have five ways you can transfigure plastic into metal in our notes and we've tried looking through the book, but..."

"Well Professor McGonagall did mention it in class?"

"It's not in either of our notes!" she countered hotly her cheeks flushing.

"She just mentioned it, she didn't actually write the sixth on the board because it's really advanced and hardly ever used."

"How on earth do you remember that?"

"Well if you can't remember it, I suggest taking better notes. The answer is in the last chapter of the book under the 4th section if you would like to look it up."

Her eyes narrowed as if she felt this was some elaborate joke, but she mumbled a thank you and left hastily. He watched her as Lily told her friend and they immediately opened their books. He grinned to himself as they both scribbled down the answer neither looking in his direction.

"She's the prettiest girl in our year," a voice said softly behind him. Peter had just sat down next to him.

"What are you on about?"

"Lily's very pretty."

James rolled his eyes, ruffling his hair a bit, "She's just a girl, Peter. All girls do is giggle and walk together in masses everywhere they go."

Sirius woke up with one of those strange feelings. A feeling he couldn't place. He knew something terrible had happened the other day, but reality had not set in and in this half dream state he couldn't remember why.

Then it hit him – like a tape fast forwarding – the last part, Bellatrix had seen him. Bellatrix would tell. Sirius kicked the covers off and he staggered toward the bathroom to wash his face.

"Morning!" a cheerful yet subdued voice startled him. Sirius was used to getting ready in the morning in solitude and he wasn't sure how to respond.

"Do you want to head down to breakfast together?" Remus suggested.

Sirius remembered the truce with Potter and his offer.

"Umm sure. Were you waiting for me?"

"No, I had some work to catch up on."

Sirius gave him a quick smile and then continued to the bathroom. He splashed cool water on his face. His eyes seemed a shade darker than he remembered. His black hair, exactly the color of his father and his brother, lay perfectly smooth. He felt it should be disheveled to match the feeling he felt inside.

Maybe he shouldn't have told Lupin he would join them. Way to advertise to his cousins that what Bellatrix had seen was not a fluke or misjudgment, but a solid decision on his part. But he couldn't back out now, Sirius felt he had to go through with this, which meant giving these Gryffindors a chance. He had to seize it and see it to the end for better or worse. He just had to pray it wouldn't end with his parents murdering him in shame.

On the way to the Great Hall, Lupin talked about which classes were his favorites and about his experience for two shorts years in a Muggle school. Sirius only half listened because each second brought them closer and closer.

They entered behind another group of students, so they approached their House table with very little notice. Potter and Pettigrew were seated near some older students. Lupin steered them to the two seats across from Potter and Black.

"Did you get the essay finished, Remus?" James asked his eyes flickered every so often to Sirius, as if not sure how to interact with him.

"Yes, all finished. Can someone pass me some Pumpkin juice?"

Peter passed Lupin the pitcher that was right in front of him.

"Want some, Sirius?"

Sirius nodded and watched as the orange-yellow liquid filled the clear glass. He kept his eyes averted from the direction of the Slytherin table.

In the distance the sound of hooting owls filled the Great Hall and the usual spectacular sight of hundreds of owls filled his stomach with dread. He flinched every time an owl swooped near him.

Would he receive a letter? A howler? His death certificate?

Students all around called out cheerfully about the mail they received from family and friends.

"My Aunt finally sent me a birthday card! It's a record only two months late this year."

"I don't know why my father insists I receive the Daily prophet everyday."

"Grandfather sent me more chocolate!"

His eyes scanned the thinning mass of owls for the very rare black owl whose feathers were so black that in some lights the feathers glowed an eerie blue.

"Expecting something?" Potter asked.

"No," Sirius muttered upset with himself that it was so obvious to everyone that he was.

He stuffed a piece of biscuit into his mouth to prove this point, when a wave of nausea hit him.

There was a buzzing in his ears and he wasn't sure what was wrong with him.

"Are you ok?" someone asked but it echoed in his head so that it sounded as if everyone in the school were asking him this at the same time.

"I need to go to the nurse!" His voiced sounded weak and hoarse. His body felt tense and tired. He must have startled Peter because his glass of milk shattered and now everyone was looking in the direction of the four of them.

He ignored the hushed voices and swirling of faces and once in the hallway he forced his breathing to calm as he leaned against the wall.

"Mr. Black? Are you alright?" Professor Flitwick stood looking at him with a mixture of concern and suspicion.

"You are wanted by the Headmaster. Do you know where his office is located?"

"Yes."

"Alright, good I'm in a hurry. The password is Blueberry pie."

Any question of why the Headmaster needed him vanished, when his mother's distinct voice resounded along the hallway.

Dumbledore's voice contrasted his mother's high pitched one. "Calm yourself, your son is standing right outside the door."

The doors opened in front of him as if by magic. Okay so this is a magical school, he mentally scolded himself.

His mother stood just as he remembered her, her hair in that same taunt hairstyle, her nostrils flaring with each breath. The look she gave him could have stopped a raging wild boar in its path. He quivered slightly and moved into the room. Wrong move, his mother lunged at him grabbing a hold of his arm and twisting it painfully.

"How dare you?! How dare you?!"

"I believe Mr. Black should be congratulated."

"Congratulated?" The word bounced around the room and then shattered into silence. His mother's predatory focus shifted to the Headmaster and in the shock that Dumbledore dare interrupt the scolding of her flesh, she let go of his arm.

"He saved a boy's life. Maybe two lives..." Dumbledore said very patiently as if his mother was a stubborn child and the situation just needed to be explained in terms she could understand.

Sirius turned quickly and there was a twinkle in his eyes as if he knew there was more to the story. His mother decided it was best to ignore the old kook.

"I'm taking you home!"

"Home?" Sirius echoed quietly barely above a whisper.

"You are not getting the education required to stamp out this ridiculous rebellious side on you. It will be accomplished once you are home, under my complete guidance."

Sirius couldn't remember when he had stopped breathing, but suddenly he had a coughing attack as his lungs craved oxygen. This possibility had never occurred to him as he ran into the forest. The opposite, being forced to live in the streets and fend for his own had seemed a more probable possibility.

"Mrs. Black, there is no need to act rashly. Please sit, have a cup of tea and a biscuit."

"Go pack your things, Sirius. Kreacher will over see you, but you are to pack and bring your trunk down yourself."

He wanted to yell that he wanted to stay at Hogwarts, but the words would be lost and wasted, so he lowered his head and swirled around exiting with Kreacher, the creepy house elf that worshipped the ground his mother walked on. He made an annoying cackling sound as they made their way around the hall attracting attention from students who stopped to stare.

Sirius threw open his trunk and began to throw in all his possessions. When his side was completely barren, he looked around the room longingly.

"Master Black, has been a bad bad boy," Kreacher said gleefully.

If that stupid house-elf dare insult him, he'd be sorry!

"Carry my trunk!" Sirius ordered.

"Misses said Kreacher must not help because Master Black is a bad boy."

Sirius locked eyes with the creature he had disliked from the start and now hated with every fiber of his being.

"Fine," growled Sirius. He slowly dragged the trunk down the stairs, past the group of gaping students, right back to the Headmaster's office.

"Sirius Black, are you such a disgrace to your family that they are taking you out of Hogwarts and locking you up?"

Sirius dared to look up into the steely eyes of Severus Snape. Snape stood directly in front of him, a bag full of gigantic books slung over his shoulder, staring at him in contempt.

"Shut-up Snape!"

"What a mess you've made out of your life, tsk tsk."

Sirius withdrew his wand ready to curse the day light out of Sanpe. It didn't matter now if he was expelled, nothing really mattered.

"There you are, Sirius. Took your time I see."

Sirius closed his eyes willing himself patience as he lowered his wand. His mother's eyes fell on Snape.

"Severus Snape, pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Black."

"In Slytherin, are you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Only house there is."

Sirius watched his mother nod and felt hatred toward Snape like he'd never before felt for another human being. It was so painfully obvious that his mother would trade him in for that greasy oddball without a thought. Her eyes held a glint of pride when she saw Snape and as soon as she turned to him, a dark film went over her eyes. His own mother could barely look at him.

"You and your parents will have to come over to visit one time. Good people they are."

"Off course, Mrs. Black. We'd be honored. My parents always speak highly of your family."

It was torture standing there forcefully silent as Snape buttered up to his mother showing a direct contrast to Sirius's behavior. The worst was his regret on helping Potter and Lupin. The boy could have died and yet the consequence of his actions had led to such harsh disapproval from his family that he couldn't help but regret it. Family was important. He knew that friends came and went, but you were always connected to your family, no matter what you did. His mother's blood, the Black blood ran through him. It was not something he should have forgotten or taken lightly.

"Yes, it will only do my son good to be in the presence of a respectable boy. Come, Sirius there is a fireplace in the teacher's lounge which we will use."

His mother put a floating charm on the trunk and marched him along down the hall. None of the teachers were in there at the moment. His mother grabbed his arm twisting it again and forcing him into the fireplace. She grabbed a fistful of floo and threw it on him saying Grimmauld Place for him.

He stumbled into his mother's study, dirty and coughing.

His mother followed closely, "Stand up! Give me your wand!"

"I need my wand..." he protested feebly.

"You won't be needing it for a long time. Magic will be your least focus from now on."

His mother stashed the wand in one of her top drawers, which he knew had a locking charm. Practically everything in this house was under lock and key.

"Get out of those ridiculous robes! You dare stain the purity of this house wearing those colors!"

He slipped out of his Hogwarts robe and undid his Gryffindor colored tie. He offered them to his mother, but she pointed for him to throw them on the floor. As soon as the garments hit the ground, they burst into flames.

"You've only done this to yourself, Sirius. We were going to let you stay in Gryffindor this year, but when we heard (apparently it was too horrific for her to even verbalize it)...I will educate you myself."

"I had to help the boy, he would have died," Sirius said pathetically. A well-worded explanation was the only hope in placating her rage.

"The idea that you want to create a friendship with the Potter heir is absurd. This is unfathomable of a Black!"

"So if it was Snape, you'd be handing me a medal!"

She ignored his outburst, "Your act of heroism showed me two very important things: one you are making friends with unacceptable families – and you knew this but blatantly disregarded it and number two you want the Gryffindors to accept you."

"Mother, I know next term I have to go into Slytherin...I'm sorry, but I was lonely-"

"Lonely? Of all the excuses! Blacks are strong. Blacks never need others. As we have stressed before, if you want friends then approach the Slytherins. And I know that the mud-blood lover Headmaster would make it your choice and your decision next year about staying in Gryffindor or to be resorted...and your father and I would not trust your judgment...Obviously now that won't be a problem. Now I can have complete control over your learning. I was speaking to your Aunt and it was unbelievable the books they allow you access to in that school. There are books that go against the true meaning of being a wizard and will poison a young mind. You have no one to blame but yourself, son. You will carry on the Black name with respect. Our legacy will continue. Your destiny has already been chosen for you. Choices are for fools and weaklings. You were born into this family and you will remain faithful. Go clean yourself and then go to your room. I suggest you take this opportunity to think about the choices you've made and your future as the result of them. And there will be no more questions; you will do exactly as you are told from now on."

"Yes mother. I won't fail you," he said dully wondering how on earth he would stay sane through this whole ordeal. And he had no on to turn to...

It was his fault. It was his stupidity. He deserved this.

Regulus peered through his half open door as Sirius passed it to use the bathroom. His younger sibling must have been ordered to stay in there.

"Hello, Regulus. Have mother and father been as wonderful as ever?"

"Are you home for good?" His brother's eyes flashed his expression unreadable.

"Until mother can't stand me..."

Regulus trailed him to the bathroom. He turned the tap on and threw water on his face.

"Well you better behave! Mother screamed for two days straight after your sorting. Father keeps making me rewrite the Black Family code of conduct. My arm's still sore."

My fault...my fault...my fault...

He stared at his nine year old brother. His brother sounded strange and older.

"People have been in and out of the house for weeks now. And I'm always made to stay in my room! I'm so bored!" he stomped his foot childishly, "You've really upset mother and father."

"You're too young to understand," Sirius explained as he dried his face with the towel.

"Am not! I know you are traitor to the family. You're staining the family name and you're an embarrassment to all Pureblood wizards. You've turned your back on your own blood."

Sirius could tell his brother was reciting what he'd heard the adults say. He'd been half hoping in an ally with Regulus. And just when Sirius was about to give in to his mother's wishes, to become the Black that would make them glow with pride. Just when he'd convinced himself it was his fault and he deserved this treatment, his brother's words struck a cord. It was too late. It was too late for him to convince his brother that he shouldn't worship the ground his parents walked on. And it was too late for him to forget that what his family preached was wrong.

"Regulus!" his mother screeched. Regulus jumped and paled. "Go back to your room. If you are good I'll buy you a present at Diagon Alley."

"Yes mother. I was just telling Sirius that he's been bad."

"Yes, he has."

Once his mother heard Regulus hut the door, she rounded on him, "Already causing trouble? Absolutely no contact with Regulus until you have been thoroughly detoxified! That will be in at least three weeks from now. Kreacher will oversee you and he has been ordered not to heed your instructions. I will quench the rebellion out of you and I am prepared to use drastic measures. Resistance is futile. If you do not behave, your life will stay like a prison until you do. Go to your room now!"

He strode out of the bathroom and opened his bedroom door. All his things – from trinkets to his old blue comforter- had been removed. In place was a bed fitted with foreign sheets and blankets and a small dresser with a lamp.

"Trying to escape will be wasted energy. I've put locking charms on the door and window. Your things will slowly be returned to you if you behave."

"Sainevilcia!" she said her wand shooting a yellow light at him. Pain shot through his body. The spell was a less painful version of the Crucio curse. She did it once more.

"Good night, Sirius. The lights will shut off a minute after I close this door. Remember the quicker you realize this is for your own good the easier the process will be for both of us."

Slam! Sirius stood in shook. Only a few hours ago he'd felt happy and now he couldn't describe what he was feeling.

Darkness engulfed him so he groped his way to his bed. He plopped down and squeezed the tears forming into his eyes, falling slowly asleep into a restless slumber.

A rap on the door woke Sirius up. "Yes?" Sirius said softly.

"Master Black must get dressed."

There were no more instructions after those crude emotionless words. Sirius opened his curtains letting the early morning light stream in. There was one gray robe in his closet and he put it on. Sirius couldn't tell the amount of time that had passed, but it was enough time for him to make his bed and start counting the flowers on the wallpaper to pass the time.

When the door opened abruptly the last person he'd expected entered.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Black. It seems you will be returning to Hogwarts. I got your parents to wisely rethink their decision."

"Did you threaten to curse them?" Sirius asked half-heartedly.

"Nothing like that, I just explained to them that for you to use magic or your wand when you are older – as all respectable pureblood wizards do (he winked), you must pass a set specific tests. Now you may be taught at home, but Ministry officials would have to come to test you monthly and they would have open access to any and all rooms in this house. Apparently the thought of certain Ministry officials poking their noses in did not entirely thrill them."

"Thank you, sir."

"No need to thank me. All wizards have the right to attend Hogwarts. I won't lie to you that your parents are planning my demise as we speak. We'll floo to my office."

"What about my trunk and my wand?"

"All taken care off."

His mother, father, and brother stood to the side glaring down at them as they walked in. His brother walked up to him and handed him a letter.

"Bye," Regulus whispered and then frantically went back to under the safety of their parent's forbidding shadows.

"Goodbye," Sirius said loudly not looking at anyone in the eye.

"Remember what I've said Sirius. Nothing has changed," his mother said as he stepped into the fireplace.

Headmaster appeared a few moments after him, "Well, I must be off, there is an important meeting that acquires my attendance. You may return to your dorm until your next class which should begin in 40 minutes."

Sirius left the office in a hurry still clutching the letter in his hand. He opened the letter once he was sitting on his bed.

Remember what I've said Sirius Black. You are the Black heir, you are my son. You best remember about the Black honor and about your destiny. You may think that fool of a Headmaster has saved you, but you will still be returned to us in the summer. And since this has been forced on us, this matter as well as any others that come up over the course of the year will be sufficiently dealt with then. I plan to hear from your cousins that you are getting to know Severus Snape, as well as other Slytherins. You know the list of respectable families. Forget about the Gryffindors, but I also know your foolish tendencies so I only expect the worst and will prepare the best actions to take place in the summer months.

The letter was unsigned and it was written in either a hurry or anger, probably a mixture of both. He must have sat on his bed a long time because the next time he looked at his watch, he realized he was supposed to be in Transfiguration. His trunk had not been returned, but his wand lay on his desk. So he pocketed the wand, took a spare notebook, and borrowed a quill off Lupin's desk. He remembered he was still wearing the gray robe, but he would worry about changing later.

Professor McGonagall was looking at something with her back turned when he entered. The door was located where the majority of the Slytherin's were seated. He had to weave through them - the only seat open was between Peter and Cory Connor. Severus Snape stared at him his lip curled in a sneer. Snape did not have to utter a sound. The scene with his mother flashed before his eyes and before he knew it Sirius grasped his wand and unleashed a rather unpleasant spell.

Boils sprouted all over Snape's face and students began to cry out.

Professor McGonagall spun around, "Mr. Black! Ten points from Gryffindor and you will serve detention tonight. See me after class. Someone please take Mr. Snape to the Hospital wing."

One of the Slytherin boys stood up, Snape looked about ready to kill him if his face hadn't been contorted from the pain of the boils.

"Take your seat, Mr. Black. And another five points off for being out of uniform."

Sirius didn't have the energy to argue or explain the reason he was out of uniform. He didn't care about a few points. It didn't matter at the moment and he sat down angrily. Cory gave him a dirty look, while Peter peered nervously. Then he met Potters eyes and Potter gave him a nod. And for some reason, that nod meant a lot. It felt as if Potter understood his rage at the boy, even though everyone else thought he'd just hexed Snape for no reason.

The spell they learned that day was ridiculously easy, but it took all of class for everyone to perform it properly.

Class ended, so Sirius gathered up his possessions in a pile and impatiently waited for everyone to leave so McGonagall could get on with lecturing him and he could leave.

"Mr. Black, I understand you are going through a rough time, but that is no excuse to hex another student."

"I know."

"I will have to owl you parents about this."

"Could you make an exception? I believe it might endanger their health if they were to hear more bad news about me."

"School policy. You will serve your detention at 7:00 today. Please meet me in my office. I must stress that you respect all students, regardless of your personal feelings about them."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall. Is that all?"

She gave him a nod and he was out the door in an instant. He was intercepted though on his way out by Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew. Those three were always together.

"Did McGonagall tear you to pieces?"

"No, got off with only a line about respecting everyone."

"So why did you hex Snape?" Lupin asked his voice more aggressive than usual.

"He deserved it."

"I doubt-"

"Ah, let it go Remus. Snape is a slimy greasy git. I have no doubt in my mind that he did deserve it."

"I bet you don't even know him."

"Actually I do. He and his lovely parents have been at some of the larger Ministry functions. He would always sit alone, never talking, never cracking a smile."

"Maybe he's shy?" Lupin offered.

"Highly doubt that's his reason. My cousin and I attempted to liven him up a bit. He did not appreciate that and he let us know it."

"Well anyway, never fear Lupin. I've learned my lesson. I'll never disrespect another student again," Sirius said sarcastically warming up a little. Potter caught his eye grinning.

Sirius wondered if he should have expected the next question.

"So where were you all day yesterday?" Potter said more softly.

The comfort level of the conversation he felt faded fast. Sirius shrugged wondering if he should tell them the truth or even the half truth.

"Everyone said your parents came to take you out of Hogwarts!" Peter piped in. The death glares both Lupin and Potter were sending the smaller boy indicated they hadn't wanted to be so direct.

"I did go home a bit."

"Is everything ok?" Lupin implored.

There was a silence.

"I'm back now. Let's just drop it."

And they did drop the subject not speaking to him again for the rest of the afternoon.

A/N: Well I got this chapter out a bit quicker then the last one. Its not as quick as I would like to update them, so I'll try harder next time. Thank you so much to any new readers who reviewed and off course to the old readers, some who have been reviewing from the start of this fic. There is just nothing quite like the feeling of getting a review.

So on that note, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW

Oasis – Yes I'm also glad I've finally made them friends, when I originally started writing I didn't think it would take this long, but that's just how the story progressed.

Koriaena – haha...portable ledge, staircase . Sirius is in big trouble, but he'll survive

Shadow929 - thank you, I love your descriptive comments, lol 

Irish Anor – well your question is answered in this chapter, can't wait to write more on the MWPP dynamic. Thanks!

Crescomellonnin – awww, thank you and please keep on reading

KC's-Diamond – I'm so glad you like it and I tried to make it a bit different then most stories

Jeanne2 – thank you so much for your kind words, I'm really glad you love how I portray everyone!

Ronja – wow thank you so much, hearing how much everyone is enjoying this story really helps keep me motivated.

Celebrean – yes I can definitely relate to updating stories, lol! Got to love all that homework the teachers pile up. Lol that's how I always am – I bored...I don't want to study...I'm so unmotivated this year in school which is horrible because I need to do well... And – drum roll please – you have won the longest review response, aren't you excited, I expect an acceptance speech!!!

Brennqt13 – lol, sirius's parents won't murder him...well at least not in this chapter, Sirius and James are on better terms, but I guess we can't call them friends just yet, but they are on the path...thank you and please keep reading

Kyla – I'm glad you like my long chapters! Yea I know how some stories are with such short chapters, with nothing really happening

Surge1 – awww, well I'm glad you didn't give up waiting for me to update, I promise to try and be quicker

Dumbo-dolly – Thanks for putting me on your favorites list! I'm really glad you're enjoying my story, please keep reading

DrowRanger – lol don't give up! I will update, I swear. Haha about good writers shouldn't have lives! I agree with you, hehe – like a certain j.k. rowling who must tell us when she'll be done with the 6th book

Elvengirl9 – thanks! The difference in james and sirius's backgrounds make for many interesting stories and scenarios