OMG! 100 REVIEWS! That is so crazy! Thankk you Everyone who Reviewed! You make me feel so loved! This is a chapter I'm a little confused about, is it good, or is is just rushed and confusing? Well, your the judge of that I guess :) Sorry if it's a bit late, it was my 16th and my mums Birthday too and I was waiting to see if my BETA could check this but decided to post anyway after no reply...

Annyyyy way, full steam ahead!

To Surprise

Regulus

It was falling into place like the first trickle of pebbles that forewarn the approaching avalanche. I saw the distaste and slight fear in his eyes when faced with his fiancé. I saw Alex standing at the side of his sister with quiet disappointment in a face that didn't want to be there. I saw the violent reaction Irvine had to the name 'Grey'. There was that feeling that something secret, something fierce, had happened between him and the new twins. It was worse than just enemy rivalry, it was more... intimate. I heard his slip ups, those words "Ally" and the knowing in his gaze, as if he was looking at something as familiar as his own wand. I even remember those occasional glances I'd seen, the way his eyes fell on the furthest table with an unexplainable look.

Darien was rigid and frozen before me as waves of understanding passed over me. Because of course, Alex was gay but I had never even thought to link the two. Why would I, when Irvine was so... Irvine?

"Y-you and Al-Alex?" I stuttered, hardly able to believe my own words. Surely not, this was the ice prince we were talking about, the pure blood, dignified Death Eater. How could he be... how could he be gay?

I saw him palm his face in a surprisingly human and weak gesture. Slowly he turned with heavy weariness and I saw instantly how his shoulders sagged. He turned to face me, just a meter away, and what I saw solidified my theory. Bloody hell.

We all had masks; everyone did although especially the Slytherins. It was us purebloods that put on our masks at about the same time we learnt to speak. That was what we did, we hid ourselves, we locked away those feelings that were criminating. You had to do something drastic to break a mask and it was always unknown what you would find. This though...

His face was resigned and in his eyes I saw something broken and old. He looked tired, no, exhausted, and self revulsion was in his usually proud features.

"What- What happened?" My voice was bland and hollow, maybe even with a trace of sympathy.

My mind was reeling and the stoic face said nothing.

"When? How? What?"

I was met with dead eyes, broken things that were so complicated and messed up that it was hard to distinguish one emotion. So many feelings seemed to weave in and out of his eyes, maybe hate, maybe pain, maybe guilt, or fear perhaps, or was that something different, something elusive?

I tried to see it. I tried to see Alex and him, him and Alex. I tried to see them as an item, a thing although I was sure it had to have been a secret relationship. I tried to visualise them holding hands in empty corridors or sharing secret looks. I tried to imagine a Darien Irvine that would smile and joke, which would kiss another or hold somebody. I tried to picture a boy that the handsome joyful but quiet Gryffindor would love.

A boy who was Darien and not Irvine.

I didn't really know either, that was the honest truth of the matter.

I shook my head and the boy in front of me, free of the mask, just stared like a dead person into my eyes. Then, suddenly, there was something recognisable: a smirk. It was a bitter thing, a twist of his lips and then there was almost the hint of a smile in those eyes. I blinked in slight shock but this had an even odder reaction. It was a smile.

It was a smile...?

It was small one, with lips tightly pressed together in a downward direction and I even thought I heard the grunt of a chuckle.

... huh?

"So then Regulus Black, now that you know my dirty secret, where would you like to start?"

Sirius

Outside the sun was rising above the hills and the rays lightly crept into the room from the gap between the curtains. The light danced softly on the drapes around my bed and I breathed in deep and happy. Usually I never woke up this early, usually I was the last to stumble bleary eyed out of bed. Not now though. I always woke up early when I was with Al, not because it was uncomfortable but just because I was more willing to be awake when he was curled up at my side.

I looked down at the sleeping boy next to me. His head rested on my shoulder, the tickle of his breath touching my neck, and one arm rested on my stomach with his hand flat on my chest. The heat of his body enveloped me and I felt a peace in my heart. Pale lashes fell on his cheek and his lips were slightly parted to show a row of white teeth. The sun twinkled on the fine silver hair and I thought he'd never look so beautiful.

I grinned to myself; who knew Sirius Black could become so sentimental.

This was the first morning since he got back from the hospital wing. My heart seemed to clench every time I remembered seeing his pale face, the sickly iciness of his skin and the blooming of blood on his shirt. I remember after the fight, as all the DE's disapperated, searching the crowd for him. At first all I saw was the livid face of Lara and then, when she turned to march to a wall, I saw him. Never have I ever felt so numb, the panic had come slowly after the complete drop of my heart.

But that was over now, he was here, right here.

I felt him stir gently in my arms.

"M-m-morning" He said gently through a yawn and he turned slightly to place a kiss to my neck, the slight morning stubble scratching my collar bone.

I let my arms wrap around his waist and pull him to me till we were chest to chest.

"Morning" I whispered back before kissing his lips slow and gently, brushing the tip of my tongue lightly on his bottom lip. He answered by twisting one of his hands into the hair at the back of my neck and pulling me slightly closer to him. I melted in the kiss, letting his silky hair run through my fingers.

I loved the way my lips seemed to be a perfect match to his.

I loved the way his hair felt under my fingers.

I loved the way our legs could tangle up so comfortably.

I loved the way he made me feel important and special.

I loved the way everything seemed to fall into place when he was around.

"I love you" I whispered under his lips.

He pulled back and his deep grey eyes filled my vision, he smiled in a way that dissolved my heart.

"I love you too" He leant in a kissed the corner of my mouth.

Yes, he was here now, again. That was the important thing.

Lara

The doors to the hall burst open and a loud demanding voice broke into the gentle talk over dinner.

"LARISSA ASTRA GREY! WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME YOUR BROTHER WAS IN ST. MUNGO'S! AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON ALL THE STUPID THINGS YOU'VE GOT UP TO SINCE I LEFT YOU IN BERLIN!"

The room fell predictably silent.

I cowered under the table as Alex burst into mental laughter and an imposing woman strode confidently to our table. I looked up sheepishly to see Marilyn Grey standing above me with a look to kill. I gulped.

"You're back from China then?" I croaked and her Grey eyes – as in the eyes that all Grey's have – boiled.

"Good observation" She snarled.

"Perhaps you would like to take this outside? The lake is looking particularly spectacular today Marilyn, you might not have noticed coming up..." Came the breezy, rather entertained voice of the head teacher who I noticed was leisurely walking into the hall behind my Aunt. His eyes seemed to twinkle, though I could find nothing funny about this situation.

I nodded with wide eyes still just poking up from the edge of the table.

Aunt Marilyn ruffled herself and eyed the lines of deadly silent students who were looking one of the following: Confused, scared, amused or a little impressed. I looked over at the Slytherin table and saw to my annoyance that Irvine was staring resolutely at the table, his lips pressed tightly together in what was obviously an attempt not to laugh. Idiot, he always did find these situations funny, just like my brother. Glare.

"Very well" She said decisively and then her eyes glittered on those sitting around me "But I want you Black and you Lupin to come too." She jabbed her finger at the two boys "Merlin knows somebody has to look you over seeing as that Brother of mine is too much of an idiot not too" She said with a demanding air, shaking her head, before spinning on her heel and storming out of the hall.

I groaned.

Alex was bobbing up and down happily with a large grin. He loved seeing Marilyn mad at me – which was just as frequent as us being like best friends. I scowled at him and sadly said fair well to my apple pie.

"She seems in a good mood doesn't she?" He said in answer to my non verbal threats as I rose to my feet and we began walking at a more subdued (in my case unwilling) pace out of the hall. The voices around the room had picked up again and I saw people giving me sympathetic looks. Sympathetic looks I tell you!

"Umm... who was that?" said a faint voice and I turned to see a quivering Black walking just behind us.

I chuckled.

"That was the Grey Matriarch. Good luck by the way" I said cheerfully over my shoulder.

Sirius paled slightly and Remus gulped. I couldn't blame them, they were about to get the good old scary parental inquisition. I really did have great pity for them, you know, really deep under the smug look.

"Does she know I'm a..." Remus asked quietly in my ear as we walked.

"No... Or at least I doubt it... then again that woman knows too much for her own good." I replied, taking his hand. That woman was nearly as good at reading people as me, Alex and old Dumbly – and that was without Legimency! I was pretty sure she wouldn't mind though... just as long as he hadn't defiled my poor innocent maiden head – snort – which he hadn't. Sirius on the other hand... Well all I could say to that one was – Mwahahaha!

"Okay…" He said weakly before letting out a sigh "By the way, why didn't you tell me your middle name was Astra?" He asked randomly and I shrugged.

"Never came up, that prancing idiot over there is Alexander Cassius Grey" I said and Alex turned to me with a frown. He'd never been overly pleased with being named after crazy great uncle Cassius who had the oddest habit of talking backwards and breeding Black Widow spiders…

Good old Uncle Cassius... he should have realised breeding poisonous insects would be his down fall...

We were now by the open main entrance and I could see Marilyn standing waiting for us with her hands on her waist. She was a tall woman with full hips and strong looking arms. Her hair, in the traditional Grey family silver, fell down her back in a cascade of tight ringlets. Her face was everything expected of a pure blooded woman – independent, proud and well cared for. She was the eldest of the family and to her there was only one thing more important than the respect of the Grey line and that was the actual family members. I knew she didn't care one ounce if Alex was gay, I was dating a werewolf or her sister had married a Muggle. She did care though about the mark of my face and I could just see the anger boiling in her thoughts.

"Well?" She said after a moment of the four of us standing there like dummies.

I cleared my throat.

"Well, um... you see it all happened very quickly... and I thought you were in China" She gave me a heated look and I looked away nervously "I wasn't thinking particularly clearly...?" Shuffles to the left a little "and um... I don't think the, um, authorities trust, um, the Grey side of the family very much anymore..." I looked up uneasily and saw her face in deep contemplation. Gulp.

Seconds ticked by while I tried to ignore Alex's smug looks and mind.

"Hmph. Doesn't your Aunty deserve a hug?" Was her only reply and I sighed, practically jumping into the large arms.

Suddenly she was laughing hard and her smile warmed my very toes. She began to talk very fast about all the things she'd seen in China, all the people she's annoyed and all the laws she'd broken, not to mention the latest gossip in the extravagant world of Pure-bloods.

Sirius

My mouth fell open as the previously murderous woman abruptly started rambling on about... what was she talking about? It seemed to be a mixture of misdeeds, gossip and random events but I couldn't be sure. Lara seemed to understand it at least for what I could tell of her words and laughs which were equally fast and hard to understand.

Did all Grey's change attitude that quickly?

"-And then I told them that technically I hadn't broken the law because it said very clearly that only if you possessed the egg with intention of catching it- they loved that- course I didn't tell them it was a lie, I can't wait for you to meet the little thing -"

I exchanged looks with Remus and saw my confusion and surprise mirrored in his face. Looking back at the two Grey women, I saw them quite happily walking away with linked arms. Alex just shook his head with an entertained look and pulled me and Moony off with him after the crazy girls.

"Don't worry, you get vaguely used to it" he said in a consoling voice as he patted my arm.

"-Had to hide behind this massive statue of Ruo-jian the Terminally Cursed to escape the bastard – you should have seen his face! His own damned fault if you ask me, should have attached the wig better, totally not my fault-"

Blimey... wish my aunts were this cool, instead I was left with one stuck up woman with an eye for the slightest stain and a mousy woman with too much nose and a habit of poking you when you're least expecting it.

"-stole the candelabra candles of the Miss Caidan's house – changed colour they did and scented to boot - and then you know what she said to me the poor dear-?"

We were approaching the lake by now but Marilyn Grey showed no signs of relenting in her flow of mad stories which did not seem to be taking a dip in madness either, as might have been expected. Lara was laughing hysterically and I found myself imitating Al and shaking my head. Remus just looked a little bemused as he stared at his girlfriend.

"-Lady Redfearn was having affair, with her sister in law too, who incidentally was her second cousin twice removed! Poor Henri, even if he was an ugly old bat. She gave me this very flattering amulet to keep my mouth closed, bet she didn't expect me to accidently let it slip at dinner the very next-"

The woman keep speaking even as we stopped by the side of the lake but I could tell it wasn't far from her mind that Remus and I... that we were here. Gulp.

As expected her voice finally settled down and she turned to give us a level look. Her eyes seemed to take in every minute detail of our person while her thought seemed to buzz. I nearly cringed when her eyes met mine. They were so like twins and Dumbledore combined, they had the same soul reaching gaze and they were exactly the same colour as Al and Lara's. She moved gratefully from my eyes and concentrated on Remus who was trying hard not to shift uneasily.

"Hmm, Lupin? Yes, knew your father, got in a spot of trouble didn't he?" He bit on his lip and we all knew why. It had been Mr. Lupin's disagreement with Greyback that meant he'd become a werewolf. "Bit thin but overall not a bad face, bit scarred – that's good, shows character – even if it is the non-human variety." We all blinked in shock but she continued on "You're smart I've heard though in the need of a confidence boost." She ran her eyes up and down him critically as he held his breath "Well, I guess you'll do – Oh, don't look so surprised!"

Lara laughed and rolled her eyes as Remus sagged in relief.

The she was looking at me and I saw her lips purse.

"Black, eh? And disowned too?" she paused in contemplation before nodding "That's good, like to see a boy with a back bone! Although you better not touch hair of my nephews head because I'm warning you right now Black, you hurt him like that prat Irvine and you won't know what hit you. Speaking of Irvine, I'd like to…"

I stopped listening as I turned to Alex whose lips were pressed tight together as he stared out over the lake. Hurt him like that prat Irvine. That made it sound like…? It suddenly occurred to me that I didn't know what Irvine had done to betray the twins or more specifically Alex. The way Marilyn had said it though…

He glanced at me slightly and gave a tight nod.

Oh.

Darien Irvine? The Slytherin prince? He wasn't unattractive I guess, not that I was attracted to any guy other than Alex, when he'd first got here all the girls had gone crazy over his classic Italian look and dark mysterious eyes. Darien Irvine though? What had happened? What had he done? I'd heard he was engaged to that Flint girl, an arranged marriage, maybe that's what broke them. I cringed as jealously and anger landed on my heart. Unbidden came the image of them together and I scowled. Why hadn't he mentioned it? I suddenly felt very cold.

Alex looked at me with large sad eyes and I broke, unable to stay mad at the silver head for very long. It was weird though... imagining anyone else with my guy. I didn't like the sensation at all. In fact I really didn't like jealousy either, just have to try and avoid that emotion, hmmm... yes. Definitely not going near it again...

Lara

Marilyn stayed all morning. From the topic of boyfriends we moved onto the unending rant about the stupidity and madness of fathers. More specifically, mine. She was infuriated, to say the least, and certainly had a good few things to say on the topic. Most of what she said involved well developed and slightly impressive retribution. If there was one thing about Marilyn Grey it was that you could never say she didn't think outside the box...

After that it was 'scold Lara' time again, this time about not practicing my music enough, then about being foolish enough to get into a DE fight, then about not cursing Irvine painfully enough.

By the time she'd jumped up realising she was an hour late for a meeting with the Minister of Magic although not seeming overly concerned about the fact, I was exhausted and oddly invigorated. I figured this was a perfect state to work on my project.

So after pushing a still ranting aunt out of the gates for the sake of the Minister I headed for the library. It was quite busy at this time of day, what with all the seventh and fifth years studying away. People watched me as I walked down the many aisles, as was their habit but I paid them no mind. Eventually I left the usually habited areas and came across the corner table that Severus Snape liked to sit at. It wasn't secretive exactly, just enclosed and a little forbidding, especially when, like now, it was inhabited by the Slytherin. I didn't think it was so much him that warned people off I mean, sure, he was a dark art lover Slytherin boy on the way to joining the DE's but I think it was more that pranks liked to go off around him a lot.

I however knew exactly where said prankers were. James was studying with Lily, bless him, and Sirius was… otherwise preoccupied. It was for this reason, amongst others, that I felt absolutely no fear sliding into the seat opposite the greasy haired (what? It's true; he really should wash that mop more often) boy.

He gave me a cursory scowl over the top of his book. Well hello to you too. I did not, as much as I was tempted to, say this which, though a shame, was in my book unnecessary provocation. Compared, of course, to the very necessary provocation which I had no fears of saying. I figured that I would give him a false sense of security before I started on that though. I know, I am so kind.

I passed the time waiting for the Slytherin to speak by reading my charms book. I could feel from Severus' mind that I was, as per usual, distracting him from his very interesting and disguised Dark Magic Potions book. I didn't have to wait long.

"That woman this morning, who was she?" He said and I could hear the annoyance clearly in his voice that once again he'd been tricked into speaking with me. Oh the horror!

I looked up.

"Oh her? That was my Aunt Marilyn" I said "she likes to make an entrance"

"Evidently. It seemed to work too, you were quivering like a leaf" He sneered and I smiled and rolled my eyes which just seemed to annoy him... I wonder why?

"Yes, well. She even more creative than my father at making up punishments" I replied, unconsciously running my finger over the ridged line of my scar. It was a lot better now, still sore and pink but it had stopped occasionally opening up again...

I became conscious of his eyes following the movement and I felt uncharacteristically abashed. I hated people looking at the scar, didn't matter who, I hated it. I tucked my hands away and picked up my book determinedly, avoiding the black gaze.

We settled into silence again as I tried to draw my mind away from that blasted scar and he tried again to read his book. Unsurprisingly he failed – again.

"I finished the book you gave me" he said suddenly "I found it just as dull as expected, thanks for very little"

"Hmm?" was my reply, just to annoy him. I had been perfecting my humms this last month.

With a barely suppressed growl he repeated what he said as I 'took note of my page'. I could tell he was irritated that his biting words were losing their edge in the retelling.

"Ahh, yes. I'm glad you enjoyed it" I said as he passed me Confronting the Faceless "I personally think it is suitably dull to be taught by a sadistic DADA teacher, don't you?"

He sneered, as usual.

"It would be better than the idiotic book we're being taught now for sure" Merlin, I think that might have actually been a compliment, cah-ching! "That one is so pointless and stifled you'd think we were all first years"

I nodded; it did seem a little pointless. Though apparently we would have a new teacher next year for some as of yet unexplained reason apart from 'that's just how it works'. What was catching my attention now though was the interesting contemplating happening in the boy opposite me's mind.

"Do you want to be a teacher?" I asked a little miffed.

His eye brows shot up and he surveyed me with distrust. He seemed to shake it off and crossed his arms defensibly in front of himself.

"And why, may I ask, would I tell you?" was his snarky reply which I rolled my eyes at.

"What could I possibly do with the answer Severus?"

"-Don't call me Severus-" he cut in automatically but I ignored him.

"It's hardly good black mail material after all"

We fell silent as he appraised me and I stayed patiently silent. Finally he shrugged.

"It's a possibility" He muttered.

I resisted a grin.

"Really? I'm surprised, you don't seem the type that liked children – or people for that matter" I said with a smile which he smirked at.

"How very astute of you Grey"

I considered this, it was all very strange… but another point came to mind.

"You know, if your side win I doubt it will be Defence Against the Dark Arts – more like, well, the Dark Arts" I contemplated and he shrugged again.

"Even better, but I like to have plans for all eventualities. Not that I think your side will win" He replied with a sneer.

It was my turn to shrug.

"Well, you must account for all the unexpected, things can go in any direction" I said wisely, I wasn't about to get into the 'my side is better than yours' debate – yet.

"What are you? A seer?" He sniggered and I smiled serenely.

"Oh no, I hated Divination. Me and Alex made the mistake of taking it as an option at Amalia's" I replied quite happily "The only good thing about it was being able to scare the teacher by predicting quite easily exactly what she was going to say... ah, good times..."

Severus blinked owlishly as I stared off into the distance remembering the woman's discomfort at all her best lines being blurted out. Bless her, she'd spent so long planning that speech...

"How did you do that" He asked slowly.

"Well, it was really was her fault, she was practically shouting it. That's the problem with seers: they like to keep their minds open" I smirked as understanding lit up his eyes and quite quickly he became guarded and a tad annoyed.

"You've been using Legilimency" he stated angrily and I quirked my eye brows.

"Of course, I'm a Legilimenatus" I said in amusement "I've been hearing peoples' minds since before I could speak"

He didn't like this and I was entertained that knowing this made his thoughts even easier to hear opposed to making them more guarded.

I knew I should have taken out that Occlumency book...

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