OK this is probably the quickest update I've ever done. Rejoice!...wait...this story has over 100 reviews! HOORAY! I love ya'll!

Jo: I think I'm going to start calling you by this now...it's shorter. Well, I'm glad you liked Narcissa. Have you read the new book yet (cause it did only take me abt two days to read...I never saw it coming! Sobs!) I'm very glad that my Narcissa isn't too far off JK's. Mine is nicer, but she still has the family thing in common with the cannon one. Hoorah! Umm, btw LotR rocks balls. If you read them that much, then you're just like a really good friend of mine. She reads them all the time and watches the movies practically every night. Well, James is totally important to the story, so I thought he deserved a chapter. Yep, Sirius is back, as you'll soon find out. OMG, you dressed up as a pirate? That's crazy! While we were in Mexico we went on a pirate cruise and my friend proclaimed himself the pirate king. Haha. Stub, I like it. Thanks for the review, keep 'em coming!

Llailin: Well, I'm glad you like my Sirius so much, and that's awesome that he's so close to your view of him. I'm sorry he's not acting much like a Marauder, but it would be kinda weird of him to be in that sort of mood when he's nearly been killed by his parents. Dramatic/anguish situations like this are totally killed by humor, especially my type. Perhaps one day I'll get off my bottom and write a funny fic...Well, abt Sirius cursing his parents: he's scared of them. They've been doing this to him nearly his entire life, and they've messed his mind up quite a bit. He thinks he's very weak compared to them, and most people in general. Plus his father is bigger than him. Remember, they've got wands too. Yeah, I know his eyes are grey, and have for a while, but it's just hard for me to change things like that, plus I had started this story before I knew. I still draw him with brown eyes. I'm a creature of habit, unfortunately. Perhaps one day, with great effort...or in the next story...

EsScaper: Well, they aren't ashamed, per say, but they don't want to chance that it would get out because then they'd be screwed. Yes, if you're out of line, you're gonna get hell, but the Blacks are extremists, especially Mrs. Black. She's a bit unhinged, as well.

BrennQT: Well, if you've gotten a hold of HBP, then some of your wish has come true. It was either the first or second chapter that had Narcissa, Bella, and Snape. I think that showed tons abt her, not as much as I would have liked, but we now for sure that she loves her son and possibly Lucius. She does seem to care abt family, maybe not as much as I make her, but whatever. S'all good!

Katharina-B: Well, Sirius told James that he didn't want anyone to know. Sirius is ashamed enough that the Potters–who he considers family–know, but to have Remus and Peter is too much for him. He doesn't care as much if they believe in rumors, but he is completely against anyone else knowing.

And to all my other dear, dear reviewers: Oi love ya. Always 'ave. hehe...Braveheart makes me laugh. Silly Mel Gibson...anyways, please keep up your reviews, they encourage me to get my butt in gear. Remember, I'll answer any questions you have, but only if you review! Cause otherwise I wouldn't know the question. Gah, I'm not physic, ya know. Hehe.

Chapter 9

A loud boom emitted from the large Potter house, followed by hysterical cackling. Several neighbors glanced out their windows curiously. Others still just shrugged and went about their daily business. Strange things happened at the Potter house, always had and probably always would. After all, the strange family had lived in that house far past memory of all the other inhabitants of Godric's Hollow, generations even.

In the first bedroom of the second floor, Kaelin Potter blinked in surprise at her smoking playing cards, her brows slightly singed. Sirius Black was howling in laughter, clutching his sides, which really were beginning to hurt. Recovering, Kaelin snapped playfully, "Hush, you." Sirius, however, did not stop. "Just because yours haven't exploded yet, and mine have a few times…"

"Try thirty-six," Sirius said between giggles. Kaelin swatted at him and said, "Deal 'em."

This was how Sirius spent most of his extra week away from school. He played Gobblestones and Exploding Snap with Kaelin and Wizards' Chess, which Kaelin was hopeless at, with Jacob. Jacob was away at the Ministry most of the time, making up the time he had taken off while Sirius was in the hospital.

It was Saturday, and Carter had just left the house, giving permission for Sirius to return to Hogwarts the next day. He had, once again, strongly reminded Sirius that under no uncertain terms was he to duel and play Quidditch. Kaelin looked as though she would rip his head off if he even tried to argue, so Sirius gruntingly agreed.

Jacob left quickly after Carter had gone; he was in charge of the Ministry raids in Manchester for the weekend. Kaelin and Sirius were left again to their own devices. "How am I actually getting to Hogwarts tomorrow? I seriously doubt by train."

Kaelin glanced up from where she was monitoring the dusting of James's room. "Well, I would have had us Apperate to Hogsmeade, but you're too young. I guess we can use the Floo to get to Rosemerta's pub."

"Am I allowed to use Floo now?" Sirius asked as he shuffled the exploding cards.

"Yes," Kaelin said. "Your condition has improved greatly, and moving you around won't hurt so much anymore." Sirius nodded. "We'll bring you in the evening," Kaelin continued. "Perhaps during or after dinner time. I want to get one more good meal into you before I send you off."

"You don't trust Hogwarts food," Sirius asked with a playful air.

Kaelin huffed but did not answer him.

Sirius jumped as the cards in his hands sparked and let out a puff of smoke. Smirking, Kaelin turned to him. "Look who they're exploding for now," she said.

"That wasn't an explosion, Momma," Sirius retorted. "Too feeble."

"I saw sparks and smoke. That's a perfectly good definition of an explosion, however small."

There was no time for a comment after Kaelin spoke. The doorbell rang shrilly through the house and was followed immediately by impatient knocking. Kaelin walked out of the room muttering, "Hold your hippogriffs."

Sirius smirked after her. He heard the door opening, and a female voice said something he could not determine. Then he heard Kaelin's startled voice yell, "Hey! You can't just walk in here! Who do you think you are?"

Sirius sat up stiffly. Was it his parents again? Or Bella even? No, he hadn't felt the sense of dread that their approach usually gave him. Then who…?

A familiar voice said quite loudly, "Tell me where he is. I know he is here."

"Like I'd tell you anything," Kaelin snapped loudly, and Sirius could practically see her shaking her finger in someone's face. "You're one of those horrible relatives of his, coming into my house like you own it, demanding I give him back to you. Well, you lot can just give up. He is not leaving this house! Not after what you lot did to him."

"I am not here to take him back! And I did nothing to him!"

"I'll believe that when Godric Gryffindor walks in for tea," the protective woman said sarcastically.

"Show me my cousin!"

Quite quickly, Sirius slid out of the bed and into his chair. He pushed it out of the room and to the railing. Pulling himself up, he called down, "Andromeda?"

The two arguing women looked up. A toddler girl in Andromeda's arms cheered, "Siri!" The second Black daughter then ran up the stairs, placed her daughter on the ground, and threw her arms around Sirius. Sirius hissed in a sharp breath, and Kalein cried out, "Let go! You're hurting him!"

Andromeda immediately let go, and Nymphadora wrapped her arms around Sirius's good leg, chanting his name. Taking his face in her hands, Andromeda looked as though she were about to cry, something Sirius had only seen her do when he had brought her news of her removal from the Family Tree. "Oh, Sirius, I've been so worried!"

"Worried?" Sirius asked. "How did you even know anything was wrong? How did you know I was here?"

Andromeda looked down at Nymphadora hesitantly. Sirius then said, "Momma, could you bring Dora into the kitchen? I need to have a talk with Andromeda."

"Of course, dear," Kaelin said making her way up the stair. She knelt down by the little girl.

"Dora, would you like to go get some cookies?" After she had nodded, Kaelin carried the girl away.

"I had to bring her with me," Andromeda said as Kaelin descended the staircase. "Ted was at work already, and his parents are in Italy."

Sirius lowered himself back down into the wheelchair and looked up expectantly at his cousin, who had suddenly become silent. She bit her lip. Abruptly, she burst, "Oh, cousin, I should have taken you from there with me. I—I never knew—I mean, I knew they always spoke down to you, but I never thought—"

"Andromeda," Sirius cut her off. "You didn't know."

"But—"

"I didn't want you to know," he interrupted. "I made sure no one knew. You were raised the same as I was. You were taught not to show your emotions and weaknesses just the same as I was."

"But—"

"Do you really think they would have let you take me anywhere?" he asked darkly.

Andromeda sighed in defeat. "Of course not. You were the heir." Sirius nodded.

"So how did you know what happened?"

"I've received two owls from Narcissa in the past week. One was from last Saturday. It said that you had gotten into serious trouble on Christmas Eve and had been missing the next morning. Also, that on that Saturday, Aunt and Uncle had come home in a raging fit. The one I received last night said that you had not been on board the Hogwarts Express and were not to be at school until the second week of the new term. She said you were at the Potter house. Narcissa did not know exactly what was going on, but she had suspicions. She wanted me to come and find out."

"How did she know I was here?" Sirius wondered allowed.

"She said she spoke to the Potter boy. He had been very vague and slightly nasty with her."

A small frown line appeared between Sirius's brows. He didn't know whether or not to be pleased with James's actions. On one hand, he had kept his promise not to tell anyone, not even Sirius's own cousin. Still, he had said something. But what could he do if Narcissa cornered him?

Sirius sighed. He would find out exactly what had happened tomorrow from James.

"How long have they been doing this to you," Andromeda growled, coffee eyes frozen on his plaster incased leg darkly.

Sirius's brows furrowed. How long had it been? It had been going on for so long that the years had fused together in his mind. "After Regulus was born," he said slowly. "I think the first time I was six."

Andromeda let out a cry of mixed shock and fury. "Oh, Sirius, why did you never tell anyone? We could have done something! We could have helped!"

Sirius glared back. How could he tell anyone? He had still never actually told anyone. He had never truly said that his parents abused him. The Potters had merely correctly assumed what had been happening.

And if he had told anyone, they would only truly understand just how weak and useless he really was. He finally had friends. He didn't want to loose them. He didn't want them to know. He was weak. He couldn't stand up for himself. He had shattered his parents' dreams of a strong, worthy heir. He was a failure.

Helped? Who had ever dared to cross the Blacks before and not come away scratched, lucky to be alive. That was why he was so secretly scared for the Potters. They had very openly and rudely defied the Blacks to their faces. Besides, no one undesirable could even enter the old house. So how did Andromeda think someone could come there to take him away? If Sirius's parents had known that he had told someone and that someone would do something to help, they would have locked him in his room and boarded up the house.

Not to mention the serious punishment he would have received.

He never did answer Andromeda's question but kept her under his firm stare.

"Sirius," she said slowly and quietly. Sirius looked at her oddly. She sounded as though she were about to break the news of an unexpected death. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of how to continue. After a great internal debate, she whispered, "She blasted you off."

Sirius's dark eyes widened considerably. Andromeda continued, "Your mother—she burned you off the Tree."

The little color that Sirius had to his face was lost. His mother had what? His hands began to shake. He remembered when Andromeda had been taken off the Tree. She had told her parents that she intended to marry a Muggle-born by the name of Ted Tonks. Mr. and Mrs. Black had been furious. They had screamed at their daughter for hours. Bella, Sirius's parents, grandparents, other aunts, uncles, and cousins had all joined in. The only ones to remain silent had been Sirius, Narcissa, and Regulus, who was too young to voice real opinions–even if they were only repeats of what his parents said–on such things.

Andromeda, however shaken she had been by the assault, had stood her ground. She loved Ted. Ted loved her. Andromeda saw past his impure blood. They wanted to spend the rest of their lives with each other.

She had then been kicked out of the house. Sirius had wanted to go after her. He didn't think he could stand that house at all without her. But there was nothing he could have done. If he had tried, his mother and father would have beaten him more viciously than ever before.

Andromeda's mother had looked at her sister-in-law as soon as the door shut behind Andromeda and said, "Do it." Only the head couple of the family had the ability to remove a person from the family line. With a flash of bright orange light, Andromeda Black was removed from the Black Family tree.

That's what had happened to Sirius now, too. His mother had, with great fury etched onto her face, screamed out, and the golden thread of his name had been burned away. Regulus was now the only child the Blacks recognized. They finally got their wish. Regulus was the heir now.

But what would they do with him now? Surely his parents would not leave it at blasting him off the Tree. Andromeda was the second daughter to the house. She still had two sisters to continue the purity of the line. She was relatively unimportant, trivial. She was easily dealt with by denying her a spot on the Tree. But Sirius...

Sirius was the first born son of the Black House. He had been the heir. He alone was to be in sole responsibility for the leadership and welfare of the family when his father died. But now he had been removed from the Tree. His parents would not just let him at that. Regulus would be the new heir, but they would have to do some thing about Sirius. But what would it be?

From the kitchen, they heard Kaelin give a startled cry, followed soon by Nymphadora's giggle. Andromeda finally smiled. "She's changed her hair again."

"What color you bet it is," Sirius asked with a smirk.

"Two Galleons it's some kind of neon," she laughed.

"Let's find out," Sirius said, setting his chair to hover. The disowned cousins descended into the kitchen to find, indeed, Nymphadora had hair as bright as the bow on her ponytail.