At last, the fourth chapter! Eternal love and gratitude for my reviewers (as you keep me going) and my most sincere apologies for taking so long to update this, but I just celebrated my eighteenth birthday, so things have been a bit….chaotic. In any case, I am pleased to present to you, my most illustrious readers, the fourth installment of The Nature of Stars.
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Resolutions
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Sirius Evander Black,
Your previous letter has been the root of much distress as of late. As a result, your father and I have appealed to your Headmaster in numerous letters and upon our recent meeting, he stated that he has no intention of relocating you to your appropriate house. This being the case, the only option left to you is to attempt to forge relations with more respectable students despite this debilitating hurtle.
As you are still the heir to the Most Noble House of Black, you are expected to perform extempore even with these unpleasant complications. Though as a result we have gone to extensive lengths to make sure that your brother has the appropriate tutoring so that he will be able to avoid this….mess.
The best advice I could hope to offer you would be to keep extensive notes on your housemates and take care that you refrain from associating with the wrong sort. This said, I wish to bring to your immediate concern, the recurrent mention of a James Potter, a Peter Pettigrew, and one Remus Lupin. Though I am pleased to note that you have managed to function in Gryffindor without incident for the past few months, you have pushed this 'minglin'g too far. They are not your "friends," as you so put it. The Potters are a well-known family of blood traitors and oh the rumors that surround the Lupins. It's disgraceful. From here on out, you are to avoid them at all costs, do you understand? I expect to receive another letter from you before the holidays, where we will discuss this matter further over Christmas.
Your mother,
Adrienne Black
Sirius glared, crumpling the letter into a ball and hurtling as far across the dormitory as possible.
Frustration welling up inside of him, the dark-haired youth crossed his arms over his chest and turned his attention back out the window. On the bed nearest him, James sat upright, absently throwing his charms book to the side, and turned hazel eyes on him.
"Letter from your mum?" he asked, tipping his head to one side and adjusting his glasses.
Sirius snorted in reply, shifting against the wall angrily. Back on the bed, Remus also lowered his book, signaling the end of their study session. "Is everything alright Sirius?" he asked gently, voice soft, and Sirius found that with that comment, most of his frustration vanished. It was hardly surprising. Remus usually had that affect on him, though the dark haired boy was still at a loss as to why the other boy calmed him so effectively.
Though, he smiled to himself, it's not like Peter and James are complaining.
"Yeah," he sighed, swinging his legs off the edge of the window seat and standing lazily. Raking slender fingers through his hair, a growl erupted from his throat and the dark haired boy swiftly turned and violently kicked his bedpost. Peter squeaked at the sudden display of anger, watching the boy's face carefully for any sign of further outbursts. Surprisingly enough, instead of continuing his tirade, Sirius turned and dramatically flopped across James' lap.
James smiled in return, rolling his eyes at his friend's behavior. "Honestly Sirius, you really should do something with your hair. Tie it back or something. I can barely tell you have a face under there." Sirius blew the hair out of his mouth and stuck his tongue out. "What do you need to see my face for?" At this Remus tipped his head, "Oh yes, that will go over well. Hello there miss. Oh? Who's this furry blob beside me? That's my friend Sirius. No, he's not hiding a horrendously disfigured face. He's really quite handsome underneath all of the hair, but a lawn mower should do the trick, I mean, if you really need to see his face."
"Sod off" Sirius laughed, throwing a nearby pillow at the other boy, who caught it expertly and placed it back on the bed beside him.
"So it was from your mom." Peter interrupted absently. The trio looked over to find the boy sitting on the floor a few feet away, Sirius's crumpled letter in his hands. The mousey boy kept his eyes on the page, not even acknowledging the other boys. "And she really doesn't like us, does she?" He looked up with the question, gaze searching the faces of his friends. Sirius was sure his outrage would have flared up again if he hadn't been so comfortable.
"Yeah. But what can you expect from the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?" he spat, with a spectacular flourish of his arms.
"I take it you're spending Christmas with them then?" Remus inquired, honey colored eyes softened by both curiosity and concern. The other boy heaved a sigh, "yeah." At this, James ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it in aggravation. "Well, at the very least, I'm sure it won't be unbearable."
"Proof that you really don't know my family." Sirius rolled his eyes. "It'll probably be just a whole mess of talking to's from every member of my extended family on how I'm the only Black not to be in Slytherin, and how I should have absolutely nothing to do with any of you. No doubt I'd be forbidden to ever speak to you again."
James shook his head. "Well, we're all going home for the holidays, so at least you won't be here all alone, and I know my mum, for one, thinks the lot of you are brilliant. In fact, she invited you all over to visit once school's out, she really wants to meet you."
"Wicked!" Peter cheered, jumping up excitedly. "I mean- well, if my mum lets me go. She's pretty protective of me…." He trailed off, voice quieting as the thought carried on. "Yes, mine too." Remus agreed. "It would probably be best if I not go, you know, complications and parents and all."
At this Sirius glanced up at James' face, catching his eyes for a moment before the other boy spoke. "Well it was just a suggestion. Who knows, maybe you guys'll be able to come after all."
Remus cleared his throat abruptly, sliding off the edge of the bed and adjusting his robes. "In any case, I'm sure that dinner is already prepared downstairs, and I, for one, am starved. I'll meet you in the dining hall?" Peter brightened considerably at this announcement. "Hold up a second Remus!" he yelped, hurrying to get off the floor. "I'm coming too!"
Sirius and James watched the two retreating figures, silent for a moment before turning to face one another. "You know…." James began, eyes alight with mischief. "I have the distinct impression that Remus is hiding something" Sirius finished, mouth contorting into a devious smirk.
"Exactly" James stated, turning back towards the door. Sirius stood, absently brushing his hair back from his face, eyes fixed on the opening. "And I'm sure it'll take some time, but eventually I'll figure out exactly what it is."
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