AN: What do you mean I last updated this June 24, 2019? Totally not! I'm god damn amazing at updating my stories! I don't really have an excuse tho- life, I guess? On with the event.
Sirius Black ran her fingers through her shoulder-length curly black hair nervously. Father had requested her presence when she was "presentable" and she knew what that meant. Long pale fingers reached for the Slytherin Green silk robes, the crisp white shirt and black dress trousers. Almost on autopilot, she pulled off her school robe and jumper, folding them lovingly as she placed them in a box that she hid under her bed skirt. The shirt was next, Sirius ran her fingers along her flat as a board chest with disgust- girls - normal, real girls the voice reminded her- had started to develop there. Pulling on the smart shirt and robes almost didn't suck as she was at least able to hide her body. The trousers. Dress shoes, laced up, hair done in a neat bun at the back of her head. She looked in the mirror and grimaced at the boy who stared back. The voice was laughing.
"Master Black, your presence is requested by Sir," Kreacher said, unable to keep the joy from his voice at her wince. He didn't know what caused it but he liked it.
She picked herself back up, dusting off non-existent dust off her trousers, one last glance at the boy she-he had to be during this.
The manors winding Corridors left plenty of time for Sirius' mind to wander, the low thump of her dress shoes was the only noise she could hear other than the distant sound of children laughing. She reached up to the knocker because although her presence had been requested, children always had to knock.
"Enter," commanded father. Sirius had to command her hands to open the big heavy door, her feet to move- left, right, left, right.
"Sirius, my boy, my son, how was Hogwarts?" said father, he gestured her to the opposite black chair and was awfully and uncharacteristically happy about being in her presence. She had to tread carefully here. Sinking into the hard leather chair, she reached for the gin glass with poorly hidden shaking hands.
"Blacks always have a respectable drink, Sirius," she remembered her father reciting it to her at every rare and unpleasant meeting the two had had during her childhood.
She steadied herself, knowing if she spills the drink she'd be done. She was already in the deep end, knowing her father would keep the threat before she left, to make her "so battered that you won't be able to move for a year." She sipped her drink, looking father directly in his cold dead grey eyes, identical in colour to her own but so dull and dead, from a lifetime of oppressing the spark to live the life of aristocrat dread.
The bitter taste assaulted her taste buds as she sipped it delicately, happy to see the glass was empty as she returned it to the small table as she politely waited for father to be finished. With a sigh, he put down his glass, Kreacher reaching over to clean up the table.
"Now, Sirius," Father said with a sigh "what did I tell you before you left for Hogwarts?"
"To get into Slytherin,"
"And what did you do,"
"Not get into Slytherin. But, Father, the hat didn-"
"You should have been thinking of family, Sirius, so the hat would put you in Slytherin the second it touched your head. Did you do that, Sirius?"
"N-no father," she said defeated.
"Come here, dear boy, bend over. For not lying I'll allow you to keep your trousers on. 200 Sirius," he said, picking up his cane.
She was just more determined than ever.
Hi Sirius
It's James! How's your summer in your big empty home.
I mean I also have a big home but I know from my mother how much your house sucks.
I've been playing quidditch with my cousin Felix and Hadrian but they're not nearly as fun as you and the other boys.
Can you believe we get to play Quidditch next year? We'll be second years. Will you be trying out? I will be, for a chaser. That's what I play now, with my family. Felix is a seeker, Hadrian is also a chaser, dad and uncle Micheal are beaters, grandpas a chaser too and mums a keeper. What have you been doing with your family?
From James Potter
Sirius placed the parchment down on her desk, reaching out to stroke Periwinkles' soft feathers.
"You wait here, I'll reply to him,"
James
I've not been doing much really homework mostly, hiding in my ro-
"No, Sirius, don't tell him how sad your existence is," she muttered, screwing it up and chucking it over her shoulder
Hi Jami-
Pot-
For merlin, just write a letter.
James
My holidays haven't been anywhere near as exciting as yours as I don't really see all my family all that often so its just been me and Reggie. Father has been busy in the Ministry and Mother is being, well, Mother. Mostly having her friends over for tea. I think she's trying to set me up with Anna Greengrass' daughter, Elizabeth. You know, in 4th year?
Me and Reggie have mostly been playing Wizard Chess together- he's winning 5 to 2 but he's also been asking about Hogwarts. What the teachers are like, the classes, what the libraries like (as if I know! I've never been within 5 metres of that place).
Hope you are well
Sirius
She folded the paper, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to James owl Peri, who flew off, then picked up the Black Book of Baby Names- otherwise known as the family tree. But god the Blacks were terrible at naming people.
She didn't need a name yet, not when she'd never get called it anyway.
Hi Remus
Just thought I'd check in on you. How's your holiday going? Anywhere close to running out of books?
Siri
Hi Siri
How's my best bro? I'm glad your holidays are going well. Say hi to Reg for me.
My cousin Felix fell off his broom so there's no more Quidditch Even though Uncle Mike is a healer so it's not that much of a big deal! So now I have to do my homework, ugh.
How's your homework going? I bet you haven't done it yet, too busy being the defiant son of the Black household. Sliding down banisters and spitting on your dearest mother's face.
James Potter
Why hello James
I'm out here being super rebellious and also doing all my homework- its called time management. Especially as I don't have you to distract me from it.
Reggie says hi back, give my condolences to Felix
By the way, has Remus been replying to you? Only he's been completely ignoring me for a week and I'm getting worried
Sirius
Hi Pete
I'm just checking up on you. How is your mother, still in the hospital?
If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm right here
Siri
Hi Remus
Are you doing ok? Only you haven't responded to my last letter of last week? I don't doubt you read it, I mean, you, not reading something.
Sending love
Siri
Black Dog
Felix is completely fine now, and we're able to play again, which is good. Pete has come to stay with me because he got bored being looked after by his grandfather. Mum has asked if you would like to stay too, as she knows what the Black household is like with, well, company. Very lacking. She also says Reg is welcome to stay too, as your family as her great nephews. How weird is that!
Pete isn't doing too well though. His mum is awake but he says she isn't like herself anymore. She stares a lot into nothing but the healers say that, with time, she'll recover. I hope so. He isn't writing well so he is currently dictating this to me. He says hi as well.
Remus has been replying to me, but only on topics related to homework help. He doesn't seem to want to give up the details of his personal life. I can respect that.
Jamie and Pete
Remus
I hope you're ok
S. Black
Potty Potter and Petty
Sorry to hear about your mother Pete, I send her some flowers. I was just wondering if you guys would want to get the train with me. If so, send me the train carriage you would like. I'm trying to avoid my family on the train
Black
RJ Lupin
12 Willow Way
Saint Hilary
Cowbridge
CF71 7DQ
Wales
From the desk of Sirius Orion Black
12 Grimmauld Place
London
N1C 4AX
England
I regret to inform you that Sirius Orion Black of the House is rather concerned about you. Your quick reply is requested to ease this.
The info requested has been sent in the previous letters but in case they have gotten lost, I will summarise below
-How are your holidays going
-have you run out of reading material
I would also like to know if you would like to sit on the train with me and in what carriage. I need to know this so I can attempt to avoid my family on the ride
Yours
Sirius Orion Black
With a sign, she reread the letter to make sure it was perfect, sealed it up, wrote Remus' address on the envelope in green swirly letters and handed it to Sal the owl. Summer would be over soon, next week in fact, and, unlike most children her age, she was excited. Her new uniform, books and supplies had already been delivered and packed. She was all prepared, except for one letter
From the desk of Sirius Orion Black
12 Grimmauld Place
London
N1C 4AX
England
Minerva McGonagall
McGonagall Hall
Birch Court
Inverness
IV2 7PW
Scotland
Dear Professor McGonagall
I don't know if I am writing to the correct person for the issue, especially as you told us to only use your address for help with the summer homework but I am asking you as I don't think I will be able to tell you this in person,
I am transgender.