Another chapter. I took a little break but the next should be along shortly... hopefully. Sorry about the cliff hanger :)

To Smile

Lara

We were drinking tea, could you believe it? Here we were, waiting for our mad sadistic father to arrive, most likely to torture us, and here we were, in the lounge, drinking tea. Milk, two sugars no less. Tea!

Mother was across from us with her usual straight back which looked as if she's preformed a stiffening charm on it and not a single hair out of line, as they said. She looked basically the same as I remembered her. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun that highlighted the sharp angle of her face. Her dark heavily lidded eyes, which spoke of her Rosier background, surveyed the room with their normal precision. No, she looked exactly the same as she used to, nevertheless something was different.

It was in her thoughts. They had always been shielded of course and neither my brother nor I could catch a glimpse of what was inside that head of hers but we could see it from the outside. To any other Legilimen it would not have been visible. Not only would you have to be very familiar with the person to even tell the difference but you would have to be able to constantly feel their presence, their aura (how cheesy does that sound?). Most Legilimens must concentrate their powers to see a person's thoughts but for us it was automatic.

Her thoughts had become more edgy, more desperate and tense. She jumped from subject to subject erratically, as if avoiding what she didn't want to see. Something was undeniably different.

"Tomorrow night we will be attending a formal party. Every well respected family will be there and you will look your best. I have bought dress robes for each of you and a tailor will be here at precisely four o'clock to fit them." Mother said, sipping her tea from the expensive china cup.

"Where is it?" Alex asked.

"It will be at the very reverential house of Black, so you will act in the manor expected of you. You are pure blood, dignified and you will act it. Larissa, you will be beautiful and obedient, Alexander you will be handsome ad independent and both of you are witty, intelligent and completely civilised. I do not care what you think of the people in that room; things will become a lot more complicated for all of us if you do not put your finest mask on, even if it be for the last time" She sniffed and looked determinedly at the flowing grass and flowers of her cup.

I wondered at her words, Even if it be for the last time. Was she saying that she knew we had no intention of staying in this façade any longer after this holiday? Alex frowned next to me as well.

Mother was acting strange, that was for sure.

As we were warned the tailor arrived at exactly four, looking a little shaken if you asked me. He was a short man with a neatly cut moustache that her would twirl between his finger and thumb when he though nobody was looking. He had a balding head of dark hair and muddy green eyes which were too clear and too big for his withering face. His long fingers were constantly moving and fluttering, whether around your robes, the tape measure around his neck or on his elongated, slightly curving, wand. He was an odd man at appearance to be sure. Nevertheless, he had a good natured mind and I was saddened to hear his anxiety of being in the home of one of the stuck up pure blood families.

I was worried for a moment at the prospect of being fitted. Not the actual process but the possibility the man would pull out a fully fledged wedding dress. You had to admit, it was a possibility. So I was very much relieved when instead dark grey material was drawn out of the shrunken closet.

It still shocked me that pure bloods were so very old fashioned when they came together. You would think we were still in the middle ages by the look of the dress robes we wore. Not that I wasn't secretly in love with them. Okay, I have a soft spot for gowns, who's going to blame me?

This particular robe was especially beautiful. It was, as said before, a dark twilight grey which had silver threading that glistened and glided throughout the material in intricate patterns. The material seemed to constantly change in shade so that in one angle it looks black as night and in another soft grey like fog in the early morning. It was scoop necked and off the shoulder and the bodice was fairly simple, if very well fitted. The skirt flowed out seamlessly at the waist in gentle waves and ruffles that drifted out behind me. It wasn't a massive nobody-could–even-reach-me skirt like some I had seen, thank Merlin, but it still had enough volume to give a nice swaying effect. It seemed to swirl around me weightlessly, as it was charmed to do, and even as I stood still the different layers and shades of taffeta and gossamer organza silks seemed to gentle rustle over each other.

I barely noticed as the tailor's wand gently tugged at the material making it more and more skin tight. I gave myself the pleasure of simply admiring the dress for a while once the fitter moved into the next room to fit my brother, who was rather bored of my silk filled head and had moved onto reading a transfiguration book.

What can I say? I am a girl and a teenage one at that.

Alex was also fitted in grey; we were the Grey twins of course. Father always wore grey as well at parties, as did our Aunt and grandfather when he was around, it was a tradition. I wonder if the Black's always wear black. I tried to sent my memories back to the parties I had attended with my cousins. Bellatrix had always seemed adamant to wear black but I didn't think Andy or Narcissa had…

Well I suppose I'd find out tonight… not that Andy would be there. She had successfully scandalised the pure-blood society by marrying a muggle born last year. I knew there was a reason I always liked her better than her other sisters. I mean, the eldest Bella was a complete mad woman, unpredictable and shocking, and Narcissa was so cold and… bland. At least Andy had some commendable traits, she at least was nice, had a friendly mind and you could actually have a fun conversation with her, just as long as her parents weren't around. Mother had quite often taken us to her sister, Aunt Druella's, house during the holidays when we were younger so I knew that set of Black cousins fairly well. They were all married now so at least we didn't have to worry about Alex being paired with one of them.

It was funny how being back in this setting, even if it was a different house, made me become so nostalgic – not that I liked most of the memories from back then.

I was missing Remus as well, and Lily, and Alice, and even those other blasted Marauders. It was funny how much I just wanted to be back at Hogwarts, in his arms. It was so warm there, so much love and friendship on every side. Here, I felt like I was standing in the snow amongst the wolves with nothing more than a smile for protection.

Alex

We applied our gentle, polite faces before mother led us up the recently appeared stairs to the House of Black. There was snow thick on the ground of the London courtyard we were in now. It struck me a strange place for this ancient pure blood family, right in the middle of countless muggle homes. I shrugged it off and took my sisters arm.

I hate etiquette, I heard Lara next to me.

Just smile and we'll get through the night was my uneasy reply. I didn't like it any more than her.

We walked up the stone stairs and the door swung open at our approach to reveal a butler wearing a blank expression and a courteous bow. Mother glided in without a word to the man and we followed, giving him a slight nod.

We were met with a corridor that stretched out before us and lit with many floating globes of light that seemed to copy the movement of fairies. They were fairly bright and lit up the cream wallpaper with a pale yellow colour. The dark red carpet at our feet was thick and cushioned our steps. I could hear the sound of music and light laughter in the rooms above and ahead. The space then opened out into an entrance hall with a curving dark wood stairway leading off from it. It was brighter here with even more of the fairy-like lights gathered in the tall ceiling and amongst the crystals and candles of a chandelier. There were many people already gathered here and we were met by the Lady and Lord of the house, Orion and Wulburga Black, Sirius' parents.

Walburga was a large woman dressed in a lavish velvet emerald green dress with her black hair piled on the top of her head. She had rather beady eyes which scraped at me and my sister suspiciously. She looked like, once upon a time, she had been quite an attractive woman but had now slipping into the 'scary old woman' stage. Her lips seemed to be in a constant state of pursing and I could finally understand what Sirius was on about when he spoke of the 'vulture'.

Orion looked like an old and more cunning version of Sirius. It seemed like he was constantly thinking and at the moment I could see he was thinking about my sister becoming his daughter in law. In fact they both were. I could see them asses the way she stood, looked, the way she held my arm. Lara consciously stiffened her already straight back as mother introduced us.

"And this is my son, Alexander Junior and my daughter Larissa"

I bowed while Lara curtsied.

"It is pleasure to be meeting you Lord and Lady Black" Larissa said in her sickly polite voice.

"You home is beautiful" I added with my own fake tone.

"Thank you. This is my son Regulus, you may have met at school" Mr. Black said in a deep voice.

My eyes snapped to the boy next to him and my eyebrows arched. I hadn't noticed him standing there. He looked very much like his brother and I found my heart twisting with longing for Sirius. I missed him nearly as much as Lara missed Remus; but of course our relationship was literally at the starting line. We had only just got together and now here I was staring at his brother who planned to marry my sister. Lara stiffened next to me.

"Indeed, we have been acquainted. It is lovely to see you again Regulus" Lara said and to my amusement held out her dainty white hand to be kissed.

Regulus seemed fairly shocked and I couldn't blame him. Last time they had met she hadn't been nearly so polite. We held our masks well and I think it might have stunned him a bit. He did get round to brushing his lips to her skin but I could see the hint of a blush there.

"The pleasure is mine Miss Grey, may I say that you look stunning this evening"

I dutifully held my hand out to be shaken and his grip was cold and firm. His parents looked on with something akin to satisfaction.

"It is nice to finally meet you"

"For me also"

Wulburga clapped her hands together in what I assumed she thought was in the manner of a pleased host. Her eyes glistened in a way that was much too cold however and her iron clad thoughts dominated the room.

"Fantastic. Now that we are all acquainted, Regulus I don't suppose you could escort Mr and Miss Grey to the drawing room? I do believe that is when most of the guests have congregated." She said with a 'caring' smile.

"Of course mother"

Mother stood by our hosts and was talking quietly with Mr. Black. I turned my head away from her and followed Regulus up the curving stairway. Small globes of light followed us as we ascended and added to the light made by the yellow lamps. On the wall beside the stairs I was disgusted to see that somebody had cut the heads off of house elves and put them on the walls as if they were nothing but animals. It was like hacking of the heads of my ancestors and sticking them to the wall, completely wrong in every way.

"Well your house is certainly pleasant isn't it" Lara said sarcastically, eyeing the old faces with a look of horror.

Regulus glanced at her and then the wall. I saw him bite his lip.

"I know, blame aunt Elladora" He said and I could tell he was trying to get in our good books.

"How charming" I drawled.

"Well I can tell you one thing Reggy" Lara muttered "If I were ever to become your wife I can assure you there will be some redecorating..."

We walked in silence as the sound of music and talking become louder. Turning into a corridor Regulus led us into a large room filled with people. There were about forty people, all dressed in their finest and casually talking and sipping wine. Aunt Druella's hideously high pitched laugh sounded through the crowds and I cringed hoping she didn't try and talk to us. Aunty Black always seemed to find something wrong with me and Lara and made a point to broadcast it to everyone in earshot. In one corner I saw Cousin Cissy and her husband Lucius Malfoy, looking a superior as ever. I didn't like Malfoy, we had only met a dozen times but in none of them had we ended (or started) on good terms. They were six years older than us, being twenty-two, but that didn't stop our animosity. I saw that Lucy Loo had grown his hair out long to his chest, to match his father and he looked exactly like a girl if you asked me. In another corner I could hear the other Black cousin, who I disliked even more than Cissy. I had heard she'd become a DE. No surprises there.

So where do we start Lara though with a mental sigh.

Regulus was still standing with us and he too seemed unsure what to do. He's not all that bad this Black, if you weren't in love and this wasn't arranged I'm not sure if I'd disagree – though it is weird he looks so much like Siri. She nodded in reply, giving the boy in question a sliding glance, which he certainly noticed.

"Come, let's mingle" Lara said, hooking her arm with mine "Ready when you are"

"Take a deep breath" I replied with a smile.

We walked into the room and several eyes fell on us as we glided in. I wondered what they saw. Did we look respectable and dignified to them? Were we suitable company or had word of our Sorting reach the pure blood society. We quickly grabbed a glass of white wine each as one of the platters floated by. Regulus quickly walked forward to introduce us to the approaching couples and I wondered how long it had taken to memorise the guest list, presumably on his mother's orders.

And the night drifted on as it ever did. We behaved ourselves and kept our heads, we didn't drink red wine just like mother preached us at the age of nine ("awfully uncivilised stuff, avoid it at all costs"). We bowed and curtsied to whom it applied and were cold to those who it didn't. We flattered and wooed and smiled and waved. We ignored the pointed comment from dear Aunt Druella and pretended not to be shocked when Bellatrix whipped out her wand and started hounding a house elf. We didn't react to the uses of words like 'Mudblood' and 'filth' and 'blood traitors'. I had to squeeze Lara's arm when she looked like she wanted go slap Cissy when she started talking about the 'brutish' centaur's and 'uncultivated' werewolves. In return she had to shout in my thoughts when Lucius decided to have a chat.

"Ahh, Alexander, how nice to see you. I so hoped you might attend tonight"

"Lucius, a pleasure as always" I drawled, pushing down the sneer that tried to surface "I have not seen you since you married my dear cousin. How are you Narcissa?"

"Well thank you Alex" She said with hardly an expression change, just as bland and cold as ever.

"I heard that you moved to England" Malfoy cut in.

"Obviously" I replied, my voice curt.

"You attend Hogwarts now? What house did you say you were put in Alexander?"

Ah, so he gets to the point. I thought it might be something along these lines.

"Gryffindor." I said stiffly "What did you say you do now Lucius? I heard that you do not work but I must have misheard"

"You heard correctly, I have little time for such monotonous things as working. I have other responsibilities" his chest seemed to puff out and a small snigger escaped my lips.

"Yes I heard of that also. I must say I am not overly surprised"

Alex! Do you want to get us chucked out? Lara chided me as she talked with an elderly, half deaf witch.

"Oh really? And what do you insinuate with that?" his voice becoming threatening and low.

"Insinuate? Nothing, what made you think that? I merely was thinking that I knew you would do your family proud." I said in my sickly sweet voice with sugar coating.

He narrowed his eyes at me. Oh Malfoy knew exactly what I was talking about. He was sure to make a good DE, that precise way he sneered at others, his complete disregard of anyone he though below him and the all-purpose lack of moral and a heart in general would be convenient in his line of work. I'm sure the Dark Lord loved his cunning ways and determination to be perfect. Ah Lucy Loo.

"And what do you plan to do when you leave school; I have not seen you around." His voice bit and I pursed my lips.

"We shall see. I do not know as of yet" I replied.

He sneered and I wished I could punch him, or curse him though it would not be nearly as satisfying, either way I suppose.

Regulus

We stood before the room of guests and I found myself hesitant to enter. I hated these parties, with their fake show of civilisation and the carefully placed tripwire remarks trying to get under your feet unawares. It was like everyone expected me to fail after Sirius became such a disappointment.

I saw Lara nod and glance at me. It was uncanny for I had heard neither twin speak to one another. Nonetheless, it was like they'd been having their own secret conversation all about me and it was unnerving.

"Come, let's mingle" Lara said, hooking her arm with her brother "Ready when you are"

"Take a deep breath" he replied and with a determined air they strolled casually into the waiting arms of the beasts.

They were so weird.

I saw Mr and Mrs… Blishwick approach the twins and I hastened forward, I knew my part as host.

I watched the twins, more specifically Larissa, throughout the evening. Larissa was beautiful. I'd had to blink several times when she'd walked through the door to my house. Her dress seemed to float around her and her hair was imbedded with small glistening jewels of black and white. It was intricately braided and had been curled to fall down her back in gently waves. Her pale face was simply enhanced with a little make up around the eyes and it made her large grey eyes stand out even more. I wasn't fooling myself; I knew she'd never marry me and that she'd use every ounce of bravery and cunning to go back to her Lupin. I wasn't blind either. I had seen them together, every single person in the school had. The gossip had been everywhere. But I found myself wishing it were otherwise. That she might one day look at me the way she stared at him. What was that?

I wanted to marry her yes but it was more that that… I wanted her to want to marry me.

They both glided around the room talking effortlessly with the people there. They fit into this society like pees in a pod. I knew it was a façade. They were Gryffindors and friends with muggle borns and blood traitors. They hated the Dark Lord and everything to do with him. I saw it in the brief flashes of distaste in their faces.

Another reason we would never be together. I wasn't brave enough to throw my family traditions away; I knew that in a year, perhaps two, I would enter the Dark Lords service. It would happen. Larissa would never want to be with a DE. Larissa deserved more anyway.

Lara

I'm so bored. I'm so bored. I'm so bored. I chanted in my head as Alex came and joined me in the alcove of the window seat. I had cleverly hidden myself from view with the help of the heavy curtains, no easy feat with a dress this large. I had seen Aunty Black coming and needless to say I had panicked. The last thing I could be bothered with was a witch who thought my nails were painted the wrong shade, my hair cut the wrong way, dress out of fashion and, oops, I didn't support a sadistic mad man enough. I couldn't wait to hear what she thought of Remus, my werewolf boyfriend.

I downed the last of my wine and watched drearily as it refilled itself.

I wished Aunt Marilyn was here, she always made me laugh at parties like this by telling us all the scandalous things about the other guests – fake and true. 'See Mrs. Bulstrode over there" she'd say, leaning over to whisper in my ear "the one with the limp, yes, she got that by slipping on her toad familiar and falling down the stairs - no really! It's true!" or "That's Mrs. Gamp, in our third year she cursed all her hair off by mistake and it took a month to get it all out of the common room – and even longer to grow back, just become I persuaded her somebody had put a toffee in it!". We would sit in a corner just giggling; we'd make up the stupidest things.

"I remember that, I used to come over and you would both be laughing away, your faces bright pink" Alex said next to me.

"Do you remember when she told us abo-"

We both became deadly silent as we felt two minds settle into the alcove next to us – one of them was Malfoy.

"So what were you saying about the fifteenth?" a quiet male voice I didn't recognise asked.

"Right yes, the Dark Lord thought it would be prudent to start targeting the mudbloods soon. He told me to alert the usual crowd that on the fifteenth of January we'd be travelling to some of the muggle families to… settle some differences." I didn't have to see him to know he was smirking "He said we'd need a list of the Mudbloods to start which is where you come in."

"Hmm… yes I could do that. It will be difficult of course but I know where the lists are kept"

"Good. You'll be coming on the hunt I presume?"

"I'll do my best. I don't want to miss it, of course"

"Of course, it should be fun"

I exchanged glances with Alex. Fun? They thought killing and presumably torturing muggles was fun? What the hell was wrong with the world?

We should tell Dumbledore about this –it's the sort of thing the resistance – the order of the phoenix – would want to know. Alex said and I sent my assent.

We can't owl him though, father has our post checked. I said, thinking hard.

We'll just have to wait.

Alex

It was with a sick feeling in our stomachs that we realised the next morning that our wands were missing. We knew what that meant because there is only one person who has ever taken our wands and only ever for one reason.

Father was home and he wasn't happy.