Chapter Two: One Happy Family

Talking about my family was never easy for me. I hated it when my friends would talk about how much they loved their parents and I couldn't even bring myself to talk to them or about them. It was too uncomfortable for me to say things they had done for me... 'cause they'd never done anything except sour my life from the minute I was born.

My father and my brother were the only ones with whom I felt remotely comfortable with. My mum was a special issue. Sometimes she made me feel like she loved me, but other times it was as though she regretted the day I was born.

My father never really minded much that I wasn't into the Dark Arts or that I had been sorted into Gryffindor. However, at first he didn't but then he did minded if I married a pureblood, something my rebellious self, I knew, wouldn't allow me to do. He had more faith in me that he had in my brother, I was clever and brave, something my brother proved, he was not. I loved my father, though I never actually got a chance to voice my feelings. I loved him 'til the moment he joined Bellatrix in my list of most hated people...

"Sirius, I need to talk to you," he said one day during the summer holidays before my sixth year. 'I now have proof miracles exist,' I thought as I entered the study.

"Yes, Father?" I said hesitantly, I had never been in his study before. 'This must be really important.' I looked around the room, 'comfy...' My thoughts were interrupted by what were the last words I ever thought my father would say.

"Your mother and I have decided," he said looking at me. I felt slightly uncomfortable but looked back at him. "who you will be marrying."

I blinked. My father knew the outburst was coming, for he flinched before I had even started, "What?" I yelled at him. "What d'you think you're doing? You can't control my life! I have a girlfriend and I love her very much, thanks!" I was red with anger. I knew what he was doing this to me. My mother had talked him into it after I told them I had a girlfriend. After I told them I loved her and was planning on marrying her.

"She's a mud–"

"Don't you dare say that word, Father! You really don't want to say it!" I warned him through gritted teeth.

He sighed, "she's a muggle-born and your mother and I disapprove of her–"

"Two weeks ago you could've cared less! Mum says a few sweet words and suddenly you arrange my marriage like it's some kind of game? I don't care how much you disapprove, Father. Last I checked it's my life, and I will be with whoever I bloody want to be!" I yelled standing up.

"You don't talk to me like that! Sirius, sit down!" he said dangerously. I sat slowly back down and glared at my father, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You will not, Sirius Black, under any circumstance put the Black family in the spot again! I already had to deal with you being sorted into Gry–"

"Since when have you cared that I was sorted into Gryffindor? To tell you the truth, Father, I'm proud of being a Gryffindor, 'cause that proves that I'm an individual and not like everyone else in this cursed family!" I said, anger was getting the best of me, alright. I just wasn't thinking straight, how could my father do this to me? How?

My father started to say something but I didn't want to hear it. I stood up and stormed out of the room... the last time I ever saw my father. I didn't even go to his funeral, not that I'd be missed.

That day I had another row, this time with my mother. That old hag, which after some time I only called a mother out of respect. She never loved me, the fact that I was sorted into Gryffindor only made her hate me more than she already had...

I was calmly packing the remaining of my things, I was still pondering my decision to leave, when I heard her coming down the hall. I prepared myself for her rant just in time.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" what a sweet way to come into her son's room, but what could I expect from that heartless bitch?

"WHAT?" I too was in the mood of yelling. All my anger and frustration was coming out. I didn't want to abandon my little brother but my mother was pulling the last straw.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" she asked. I was already scanning my mental notes, 'ahhh... found it! Her rows are always frequently asked questions..."

"How dare you speak to me like that," I mocked her, making a face and everything. I even said it in her high-pitched voice. It was funny, but not for her.

"Sirius, you are going to marry–"

"I'm going to marry, whoever the bloody hell I want to marry and you won't do anything about because you can't do anything about it!" I yelled, like always, bloody mad. "Now, get the hell out of my room! I have better things to do than listen to your whining!"

"You're not coming down to sit at my table tonight or for the rest of the summer!" she said as she made her way to the door.

"Then go, so I can bawl my bloody eyes out!" I said sarcastically. I wish that was the last time I saw her but her damn portrait made sure I was miserable 'til the day of my death.

My brother was also an important part of my life. He looked up to me as an inspiration but Bellatrix and Narcissa felt the need to drag him away from me. To immerse him in the Dark Arts and make my little brother unrecognizable in my eyes.

The day I left my house he was the only that saw and stopped me...

"Sirius, where are you going?" he asked quietly as I made my way toward the door.

"What are you doing up, Regulus?" I asked, I wanted to leave but the sudden sadness in his voice was making me hesitate.

"I heard you and Dad have a row," he swallowed. "Then you and Mum. Sirius, don't leave me here alone."

I went up to him and hugged him. "Don't worry you'll see me at Hogwarts. And you can owl me."

"Bu what's going to happen to you?"

"Don't worry, kiddo," I said ruffling his hair. "I can take care of myself."

I left without looking back.

What was in store for me at Hogwarts was not what I expected, my brother was a changed kid. My brother Regulus didn't exist...

After the welcome feast was over I went over to where Regulus was making his way toward the Slytherin Common Room.

"Regulus!" I shouted, he looked back at me and immediately turned back around and continued his way.

I felt my heart sink. My little brother didn't acknowledge me. I ran to catcha up with him.

"Regulus what's wrong with you?" I asked, concerned. He only glared at me and started walking again.

"Hey... hey, look at me," I said, sternly. He stopped dead and looked at me. I tried to find a reason why he would be mad at me but I couldn't find any.

"What do you want, you fool!" Regulus said, hotly. I stared at him.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked and it suddenly hit me. "Have you been hanging out with Bella?"

"What d'you care?" he said, turning around and running toward the common room. I didn't follow. I started looking around for one person, but instead I found two. They both had the trademark Black smirk and were looking at me with superior looks. Bellatrix and Narcissa had taken away the only person in my family I had left. I glared at them, then straightened up and went up the marble staircase never looking back, though I could feel two pairs of eyes following me.

That was it. I was completely deserted by the Black family, except for the occasional letters from Andromeda. When I was about nineteen or twenty I received the last letter I would ever receive from Regulus. I didn't hate him, I resented not being there for him. I felt frustrated the day I learned he became a Death Eater, because it had all been my fault...

I was sitting on my flat killing some time when my brother's owl landed in front of me. I looked at the letter hesitating a little... well, a lot before taking it and tearing it open.

Dear Sirius,

Remember me? Your heartless little brother? The one who got all the family pride because he was sorted into Slytherin? The one that at twelve has the courage to stand up to you? Yeah, I'm sure you do. Well, I'm writing to tell you I'm still alive and kicking. And from what I can see I am not going to be killed anytime soon. You see, I'm smarter than you are, and I proved it. I joined the Death Eaters. Thanks for your congratulations. I do hope you will someday open your eyes and join our side. If not, then farewell my brother, 'cause this might as well be the last time you hear from me.

Love always,

Regulus

I laughed. It was the only thing I could do. Laugh. Clever? Joining Death Eaters was being clever? I immediately regretted laughing. My little brother was a criminal. My little brother would soon become a murderer.

A couple of months later he died. If you want to know the truth I cried the day I found out. I had failed my little brother. I pitied him and was proud of him at the same time. Pity because he was a good kid gone bad, and I was proud of him because though he knew he'd be killed, he realized how wrong he was.

He never joined my list of most hated people, he was too immersed in his own stupidity to be hated. I put him in my people-to-be-pitied list, out of pure pity.

Disclaimer: You can sue... I'm pretty sure you can get something with the paper clip I have in my pocket...

A/N: Lots of changes as you can see. ::wink::