Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.
Sins of Angels: Thanks to all reviewers! You guys rock! I get all happy and inspired! Yay! Finals done, SAT2 done, free time on my hands. Here's yet another chapter. They'll start coming sooner now (hopefully), but I also have other stories to write, so I'll do the best I can. Anyway, please review! Let me know if I'm doing good or bad! And, as always, enjoy!
Chapter 28 – The Black Family Values
They entered the Potter house again, to see the James's dad had left them a note.
"Sorry about this, I've been called out. Make yourselves at home, I'll be back in an hour or so," James read, frowning slightly. He turned to Lily. "Well, what do you want to do?"
Lily looked around at the house. "I don't know. I suppose a little Christmas shopping wouldn't hurt."
"Really?" James asked, grinning at her.
"Not you, James," she said, smiling. "I've already got your gifts."
James grinned devilishly and dashed up the stairs.
"James Potter, don't you dare go in my trunk!" Lily yelled, climbing up after him.
"Or what, Lily-flower?" he said, grinning before he entered her room. She dashed in the door before he could close it. "So where might these gifts be?"
"You can wait like everyone else, James. It's only a couple of days."
He pouted and she laughed at him. She went to her trunk and opened it.
"I need to change now," she said, hoping he'd get the hint.
James walked over to the bed and sat down, smiling. "Don't let me stop you."
Lily grabbed the first thing she could, a rolled up pair of socks, and hurled it at James, who caught it in his hand.
"Why, Lily, I seem to be picking up on a faint feeling that you may want me to leave," James said, grinning at her. She laughed.
"That would be correct, yes. I'm going to be changing my clothes, James."
"All the more reason to stay, Lily, dear."
"James!" Lily said, and dragged him out of the room.
"So I suppose that's a no?" he asked as she shut the door in his face with a smile.
James wandered aimlessly down the stairs and was waiting by the fireplace with the floo powder as Lily came down.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes, I suppose we shall," Lily said with a smile.
They stepped into the green flames, and happily ended up in Flourish and Blott's.
The people at the table stiffened. One of them smiled.
"I told you they would come sooner or later."
"It's too open here. We'll get caught."
"Oh, don't be such a baby, cousin!" Bellatrix snapped. "We're not declaring war on them or anything."
"We're not? They may see it differently," Snape pointed out, scowling at the two Gryffindors. "An open threat on James Potter will be an act of war, Bella."
Bellatrix laughed. "And why are you worried about that, Severus. He's at war with you already. What do you have to lose?"
"What about my brother?" Regulus said quietly. The others turned to look at him.
"What about him?" Snape spat. "Might I remind you your so called brother not only left your family but also has made several attempts at hurting everyone at this table."
"Oh, get over you goddamn emotional scars, Snivellus!" Regulus snapped.
"Sounded an awful lot like Black there, Regulus," Malfoy said quietly. Snape was glaring at the boy.
"Really, Lucius? Guess what my last name is. Go on. I think you know it…it starts with a 'B'."
"Indeed," Malfoy said, not humoring him. "Are you sure you're in the right house?"
Regulus glared at him. "Are you sure you've got half a brain, Lucius? This place is anything but empty! What do you propose we do if someone from the Ministry overhears? We all have money, but it'll only get us so far."
"Stop worrying so much, cousin," Bellatrix said, sitting back in her chair.
"All I'm saying is, we waited this long. What's a couple of days more?"
"Everything!" Snape growled. "The new year's coming, Regulus! Or did you forget our orders?"
"Our orders? Are you sure they came from a reliable source, Lucius?"
"Reliable? They came from the Dark Lord!"
"And he said it directly to you?"
Malfoy hesitated.
"I thought so. That idiot Crabbe is just trying to get us in trouble. He needs quite a bit of help to stay on top. Like making sure he makes everyone else seems as stupid as he is."
Rodolphus snorted disgustedly. "That'll take quite a lot."
"So why are we hurrying to get caught by the ministry? The Dark Lord isn't ready to declare war yet."
"How do you know?" Bellatrix snapped.
"Just common sense, dear cousin. He's not immortal yet."
"And how do you know that?" Snape asked accusingly.
"Simple. He hasn't gone and killed anyone. Not since Charles Potter. And that was a special case. Damn kid got in over his head in knowing things he shouldn't."
"Like what?" Malfoy asked.
Oh, shit! They haven't figured it out why he had to die yet! Damn it! James, you better be worth all the trouble I'm going through! I just hope you forgive me for that night first. I didn't fancy being yelled at by Sirius at all. "Like something you'd have to ask the Dark Lord himself."
"And how do you know?" Bellatrix asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Common sense, Bella. It really is very easy to figure out. If you want me to, I'll tell you."
"No!" Snape said hurriedly. Regulus smiled.
Ah, good, I judged them right. Damn arrogant bastards, all of them. Maybe this time their desire to know by themselves will be useful.
"Why not?" Bellatrix asked, frowning.
"Simple. If you can't figure it out, you don't deserve to know. The Dark Lord may punish all of us if we didn't go the long way. I expect it's some sort of a test."
Right, a test. Sure. Good old Snivellus. Always works the best for his enemies.
"Well, then, I guess we'll hold off on our plan," Bellatrix said, sipping her milkshake.
"They've gone anyway. How are we with Pettigrew?" Malfoy asked, turning away from the spot where Lily and James had been.
"He's coming around. The slimy git only wants to be on the winning side. It's not hard to convince him of the good side that will come from joining us."
"Well, I should be going. I need to get something for Mum. Before she banishes me too."
"That was stupid of her. We might have had Sirius," Bellatrix said bitterly.
"No!" Snape said hastily. "Black would never come over to us. He's too close to Potter, and Potter to Dumbledore. Pettigrew would have to do. He'll be useful enough."
Regulus stood up and bade everyone goodbye. The Slytherins watched the commotion in Diagon Alley with little interest, their thoughts trying to get at what Regulus had found. Common sense hasn't come easy so far.
Sirius jumped as Regulus entered the shop.
"Well?" Sirius asked, closing the book he'd been pretending to read.
"I convinced them out of it, for now. I can't keep doing this Sirius. I know I owe you, but He will find out."
"No, you're done. Go back to being the idiot you are, Regulus. I imagine Mum's proud of her little future Death Eater son."
"Shut up, Sirius."
"Your choice, brother. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
Sirius walked out, leaving a scowling Regulus. "If only you knew, Sirius. It's not quite that simple at all."