It was 10: 50 when Cepheus Black pulled the car into the parking lot at Kings Cross, and Sirius jumped out of it to pull his stuff out of the trunk. He pulled it out and waited for his family while they hauled out Regulus' unending amount of possessions.

Merlin, if that boy isn't spoiled, then I'm the Queen of bloody England. He thought bitterly. His entire family, other than Narcissa, had jet black hair that was sleek and shiny. His mother's was tied back in a tight bun at the base of her neck. She was extremely tall and thin with a very severe face that was constantly glaring at someone. His father, like his mother, was also extremely tall and severe, but was also well built and towered over just about everyone he met. People were instantly intimidated by him, as he looked like one flick of a finger could send someone flying twenty feet into the air.

Having finally collected all of Regulus' belongings, they brushed past him and into the train station. Sirius sighed and turned around, following them through the crowd towards the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. As Sirius walked through the wall and onto platform 9 and ¾, his stomach did a pleasant flip flop as he looked at all the familiar faces, looking for three in particular. Suddenly a voice called over the babbling of the crowd, "Oi! Padfoot! Over here, mate!"

Sirius turned around and saw his two best friends, James Potter and Remus Lupin, along with James' parents standing over to the right of the platform. Sirius grinned and made to move towards them, but a strong hand suddenly shot out and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him into the shadows and spinning him around roughly. His father grabbed his chin in a tight hold and jerked his head upwards to look him in the eyes.

"You listen to me, you filthy boy" He whispered furiously. "Your mother and I have been awfully good to you, putting up with you for so long. It's bad enough that you got sorted into Gryffindor, and I am nearly through with you disgracing our proud family name. You're lucky you have a brother like Regulus who can pick up some of your slack and clean up after you."

Sirius tried to pull away, but his fathers grip on his face only tightened as he pulled him closer. "I can pretend" he continued slowly, "that your beliefs are just a phase that you are going through, but I cannot, and will not, allow you to befriend mudbloods, half-breeds, and filth!"

"They are not filth!" Sirius ground out through clenched teeth. If he had to listen to any more of this pure-blooded mania, he was going to be sick.

"They are filth if I say they are!" Cepheus barked out. "If I hear that you have been… consorting with anyone of the type, especially those blood-traitors—"

"Do you mean the Potters?" Sirius interrupted icily.

His father leaned in close, so that their faces were only centimeters apart. "I'll make you wish you were never born, boy." He threatened in a deadly voice.

"Too late for that." Sirius responded in the same deadly tone.

Cepheus lifted his chin and sniffed haughtily, releasing Sirius and giving him a little shove, which sent him stumbling a few steps backwards.

"Get out of my sight."

Sirius bowed deeply and said, "My pleasure, your Excellency."

He then gathered his stuff and turned around on his heel, stalking away towards his friends. In doing so, he missed the murderous look his father sent at his back.

As Sirius made his way through the crowd, he let out a deep, angry breath, trying to calm himself down. He looked around for his friends again, trying to see which direction he needed to move in. He spotted them again closer to the train, and saw James Potter with his back to him, talking with Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Garrett and Isabella Potter were standing slightly away from the three boys, talking in hushed tones.

Sirius decided to take advantage of his friend's vulnerable state and set his trunk down quietly on the ground, a mischievous twinkle coming to life in his eyes and all thoughts of his family were completely forgotten. He snuck up stealthily behind James, holding a finger to his lips as Remus spotted him. Remus cottoned on, and continued talking to James as normal. Then all of a sudden, Sirius took a flying leap and jumped on to James' back, laughing into his ear.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" James yelled, startled by the sudden weight of his best mate on his back. Sirius was cackling gleefully from his position. He leaned his elbows on James shoulders and said casually, "Hello, mates! Miss me?"

James laughed and twisted around, plopping Sirius back onto his feet unceremoniously. "Padfoot, mate!" he said grinning, "You nearly gave me a heart attack, and then where would you be?" he asked playfully.

"No doubt lost in the dark oblivion of depression, my dear Jamsie." Sirius said with mock seriousness.

They both grinned at each other for a moment before embracing, patting each other on the back in manly affection. Sirius then turned his attention to his other two friends. "Remmie! Pete! How've you been, guys?"

Remus grinned at him and Peter gave him a watery smile. Remus took a step forward and hugged Sirius as well, saying, "I've been great, Padfoot. And yourself?"

"Never better, mate." He replied, unknowingly mimicking James' earlier words. Remus looked at the two of them and shook his head affectionately.

"What?" They both asked simultaneously.

"Even after a whole summer apart, you two are still eerily alike." Remus said with a smile.

James and Sirius looked at each and grinned happily.

"It's a bit creepy, actually." Peter said.

Sirius and James took a position on either side of him, clapping him on the shoulders. "Pete!" James said, "Can we help it if we're both just so talented—"

"good-looking—"

"brilliant—"

"funny—"

"charming—"

"lovable—"

"amusing—"

"endearing—"

"Allright, allright, I get it guys, geez." Peter cut them off. He grinned up at them, as they were both much taller then he was. "It's good to see you both again."

They both smiled and replied together, "It's good to see you too, mate!"

Peter rolled his eyes good-naturedly. Garrett and Isabella then walked back over the group. "Sirius! Good to see you again, old chap!" Garrett said, sticking out his hand.

Sirius grinned as he shook it, saying playfully, "Hey, watch who you're callin' old, you big geezer." Garrett laughed and shook his head, looking affectionately at the boy who he had come to see as a second son.

"Sirius, darling!" Isabella said.

Sirius turned and looked at Isabella and threw open his arms, exclaiming happily, "IZZY!" He then took her hand and kissed it, making Isabella throw back her head and laugh merrily, her deep chestnut hair falling in little waves down her back. Her hazel eyes twinkled happily as she said, "Oi, I'm never going to get you to stop calling me that, am I?"

Sirius grinned at her and said, "Not a chance. But Izzy! You wound me! No kiss hello for your dear Sirius?"

Isabella laughed again as Sirius turned his head to the side and brushed his hair behind his ear, exposing his cheek for her to kiss. But instead of a kiss, Sirius heard her gasp and felt soft fingers brush over his cheek, and he winced slightly at the stinging pain the contact brought. He opened his eyes and turned his head, looking down at his feet. Silently cursing his own stupidity, he remembered that his mother had hit him in the car. He hadn't thought it would leave a mark, but apparently it did. Bloody expensive jewelry, he thought morosely.

"Sirius, love, what happened?" Isabella asked sadly.

Sirius stuttered. "I...um… I was just…er…we were walking and… I fell?" he finished lamely, looking up at her from under his fringe. She looked at him sternly and he sighed, looking down at his feet again. Voicing his earlier thoughts, he said quietly, "Those bloody rings leave a mark every time."

Isabella felt her eyes fill up with tears and she let out a watery sigh, looking over her shoulder at Garrett, who looked furious. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could the clock chimed loudly and the train whistle blew, signaling that it was about to leave.

Sirius lifted his head and said quietly, "I better go." When he saw that Isabella was fighting to keep her tears under control, he sighed and said, "Really, Isabella, I'm fine, don't worry about me." He then bent down slightly and kissed her on the cheek. "It was good to see you again, Izzy." He then turned to Garrett, nodded his head once in acknowledgement and then grabbed his stuff and hurried onto the train, avoiding his friends' worried gazes.

Once on the train, Sirius led the way and moved to the back until he found an empty compartment. Once he found one, he opened the door and went in, putting his trunk up on the rack as he heard his friends file in silently behind him. He sat down next to the window and looked up, waiting for everyone to get settled. James sat down beside him, Peter and Remus across from him.

"So, guys, what did you do this summer?" Sirius asked cheerfully, smiling at them. The smile slowly slid off his face as no one answered him, and he looked around at his friends. Remus was staring at his cheek and Peter was avoiding his gaze all together, looking at his hands. He turned to James, and was relieved to find that he met his gaze squarely. His eyes, however, were looking at him with love, concern, and sadness. Sirius sighed yet again and said, "Come on, guys, don't be like this."

"Don't be like what, Sirius?' James said sternly.

"Like this." Sirius clarified, waving his hand around slightly, motioning to the three of them.

"Like what, Sirius?" James repeated, mimicking Sirius' movement.

"Bloody hell, James, stop it. I don't want you all acting weird around me just because my family smacks me around a little bit." Sirius said, exasperated.

"Well, excuse me, I'm sorry if I hate the idea of my best mate getting hurt." James replied, getting aggravated that Sirius wouldn't open up to him.

Sirius looked up at him and glared. "I'm serious, James."

"Well, I know that, Sirius." James said, a tiny smile coming to his face. The age old pun cracked the ice in the compartment, and Sirius smiled slightly as well as he looked up at them again. James sighed and moved closer to Sirius, wrapping his arm around him. "Listen to me, Sirius. You're our best mate, we care about you, yeah? We just don't want you to get hurt."

Sirius looked down, touched by his friend's open display of affection. "I know, James, I know." Sirius whispered. He looked around and met all of their eyes. "I'm fine, though, really I am."

James sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, removing his arm from around Sirius' shoulders. "Allright, Sirius, allright." He looked up then and rearranged his glasses with one finger before cracking a grin and saying, "Anyone up for a game of exploding snap?"