Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter world and all its characters

A/N: Sorry for the really really really long wait, but my workload is absolutely crazy and combined with writer's block it was very hard to get this chapter completed to my satisfaction. I had it all planned in my head for awhile, but I could never get the wording to express exactly what I wanted. And I didn't want to just post it half finished just for the sake of posting something.

Well enjoy….

Sirius slept horribly his first night back home. His bedroom no longer held the comfort it had only a year before. He missed the familiar surroundings of the Tower.

Sirius awoke to rain drops splattering all over his window. The gray rain clouds only increased the gloomy glow of the room.

Sirius was currently lying in bed on his back He was throwing a stuffed toy quaffle up in the air and then catching it.

Downstairs Sirius could hear yelling and bunches of loud banging. He threw the quaffle up with as much strength as he could muster. It hit the ceiling with a loud thud and came down into his hands.

He unsuccessfully ignored the increasing noise approaching his room. He physically turned his body away from the door just as his mother burst into the room.

"Get up! You lazy boy!" his mother yelled still clad in her bedtime garments. She looked upset.

Sirius sat up slowly, "Morning, Mother." He hadn't come downstairs yet so what possible had he done to aggravate his mother now.

"On your feet, boy. Get your hair brushed and shoes on."

"Bu I thought I was supposed to have my fitting today."

"You are, but I was just informed they were unable to do house calls today! Last time I give them my business."

Sirius felt his spirit rise. Even if it was to visit some stuffy dress robe shop at least he would be leaving the house for awhile. Anything would be better than being stuck in his dreary room all day.

So his mother left him at the doorstep of Got Robes? instructing him to meet her in one hour near the Quidditch Supply Store. Sirius stood silently under the awning of the store watching his mother towing his younger brother along the street. Sirius noticed she was heading towards Knockturn Alley.

He breathed in the fresh air. He had an hour of freedom. His mother must have something really important to attend to since she had left him unguarded.

Sirius finally opened the door to the shop. A bell could be heard ringing in the distance alerting the presence of a customer. The store was empty except for a girl around his age. She was folding brightly colored fabric.

She had blonde hair and brown eyes. She stared at Sirius before asking rudely, "Do you have an appointment?"

Before he could answer, a second girl burst from the back of the room. She had the same color hair and eyes, except she was a bit rounder.

"Mr. Black, come in. My name is Marissa Slavo. My mother has been expecting you. Can I take your cloak?" she looked at him eagerly. Sirius could only stare dumbly.

"I bet he wouldn't let someone like you touch it. I bet it costs more than mother makes in a month!" the girl folding the fabrics said without looking up.

Apparently the girls were expecting a rich snobby kid and Sirius realized he could have some fun with this.

He tossed it off carelessly to Marissa, "If you get the slightest bit of dirt on it, you'll be hearing from my mother."

"I told you so…" the other girl muttered under her breath.

Sirius twirled around, "Are you trying to loose my mother's business?"

The girl met his eyes with an icy glare, "We don't need business from people like you?"

"From people like me?" Sirius repeated.

"Rich, snobby families, who think they are better than everyone else because of some money. I'd rather starve than have to bow down to the likes of you!"

"Please Mr. Black, do not listen to my sister, Tessa. She's not right in the mind and she hasn't learned her manners. We are honored to serve you."

Sirius ignored Marissa. He was much more interested in her sister, Tessa, "So if I was just a poor boy with tattered robes you wouldn't act like this?"

"Exactly. You would be worthy of my courtesy and service," Tessa said her fists clenching the green cloth in her hands tightly.

"Aren't you being hypocritical?"

"I know all about the Blacks. Convinced you're royalty."

"So you know all about me, eh?"

"Yes."

Sirius walked straight toward her and she took in a quick breath because he was only inches from her face, "Lucky for you, all you know is wrong, otherwise no one would shop in this store ever again."

"Mr. Black…please," Marissa looked as if she was about to cry.

"Am I going to be fitted already? I do have other things to do!" Sirius said loudly losing his patience.

Marissa nodded and raced to the back of the store.

Sirius turned toward Tessa once more, "Just a suggestion, but maybe you should treat everyone, rich or poor, the same. You might find your customers more agreeable."

A woman a few years older than his mother finally emerged from the back room.

"Mr. Black, I apologize once more for your wait. I am Mrs. Slavo and I will be doing the fitting."

He was quickly put upon a stool as enchanted measuring tapes circled around him.

First Sirius was fitted for a white collared shirt. It was made of a soft light weight material. A robe was placed over the shirt. The first of the six claps on the robe were located near the middle of his chest so that the shirt beneath could be seen. The robe was a dark midnight blue with small silver swirls. The robe also had a silver decoration along the bottom lining. Then a cloak made of a slightly heaver midnight blue material was placed over the robe. At his neck an elaborate clasp adorned with the family crest was secured.

"You look very handsome," Mrs. Slavo said still fiddling with pins and threads, "I just need to do a few more alterations. Please inform your mother the robes will be delivered to your house this afternoon."

The fitting took up most of his hour, so he only had about ten minutes to spare before he was supposed to meet his mother and brother. As Sirius walked by the Quidditch Supply Store, he thought fleetingly about James's obsession with the game. He couldn't understand how life had become so complicated. Would he have to choose by the end of this summer between his friends and his family obligation?

The day of the party started ominous. Sirius overslept, there was a mysterious tear in one of his robes which he had to ask his mother to repair for him (after she shrieked at him for 10 minutes), and he had awoken with a headache.

His mother instructed the house-elves to help them dress for the party. Sirius had to grimace as the old, wrinkled gray hands of the house-elf touched his skin and combed his hair. Sirius wished Kreacher had been assigned to him instead of Regulus. As much as he disliked Kreacher at least he didn't smell as badly and didn't have skin so wrinkled and brittle that it looked as if any moment it would fall off.

Once dressed, Sirius followed Regulus into the pallor where their parents were awaiting them. Mr. Black was dressed in robes identical to his sons, except the blue in his cloak was a shade lighter. Mrs. Blacks dress had the same silver swirl design as her sons' robes.

"My son's," Mr. Black said holding his arms out in welcome.

"Morning, father," Regulus said a smile.

"Morning, sir," Sirius said bowing in unison with Regulus.

"I have little doubt that we will be the best dressed family at the party. I highly doubt a single guest will be able to resist giving us their absolute attention. It is about time that we Blacks earn the respect we deserve. There are few families as pure as ours. I remember when I was your age, Sirius…"

Sirius looked at his father with apprehension. Every conversation with his parents was lately turning into a lecture or a lesson. Sirius already understood the importance of this event and he was more than glad to be seen and not heard.

"This…" his father continued motioning to the entire room, "This is exactly what I dreamed about: having a title, a pureblood marriage, two heirs and the respect that rightly belongs with all those accomplishments. And today will be one of many important steps in order for you to accomplish those very same goals."

"It's exactly what I want too, sir," Sirius found himself saying, "I'm sorry about disgracing the family name."

"We know you're sorry, Sirius," his father said almost kindly, "Prove to us, son that you are a true Black."

"I will…" Sirius said and as he trailed off he noticed on the table in front of him sticking under a pile of letters was a corner of a picture. The head of a messy black haired boy kept darting in and out of the corner. He was waving madly at Sirius.

Sirius felt his stomach jolt with surprise. Every time he started feeling pride for being a Black, it seemed he was somehow reminded of the Potters. He desperately wondered if it was feasible to be a true Black and be friends with James Potter.

Sirius hadn't been lying about his shame for disgracing the family name. It had never been his intention, but that didn't mean he agreed with them in other areas.

"Sirius?" his father called to him suddenly and Sirius forced himself to focus his eyes somewhere else. He didn't want them knowing that he had seen the picture of his Gryffindor friends.

"Sorry, father."

"I was saying that many of the guests are going to be interested in you and your loyalty. Should anyone ask you about your sorting or your personal thoughts, you will always reply that you are loyal to the Black family and that you uphold all pureblood philosophy. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"And Regulus, if anyone asks you about your brother you will answer with the same response. Sirius is loyal to the Black family and Sirius upholds all pureblood philosophy. Your mother and I will handle the finer details."

"Yes, father," Regulus said, "Should I mention the part about…"

"No," Mr. Black shouted cutting his younger son off, "Say what I told you and excuse yourself politely. No matter what you hear. I don't want either of you fighting verbally or in any other way."

"Can I bring my wand, sir?" Sirius asked.

"No," his mother said hoarsely, "You are underage and there will be no reason for you to use it. All temptation will be eradicated this way."

Sirius was fairly certain all the other pureblood children would have wands. The Ministry was very lax about underage magic with the prestigious pureblood families.

Mr. Black went to one of the drawers on the table, "Ah before I forget, Regulus, I have a gift for your good behavior."

Regulus grinned widely as Mr. Black opened up a familiar box. Inside of it was the same ring his father had given Sirius on his first day at Hogwarts. More importantly it was the same ring Sirius had also mailed back home.

Regulus shot Sirius a look to see his opinion on the matter.

"I believe you are responsible enough to take great care of this. It has been passed on from father to son since the beginning of the Black line. This is a great honor."

"Thank you, sir! I am very honored," Regulus uttered carefully placing the ring on his finger.

Sirius felt his face grow warm and it didn't help that Regulus kept glancing at him triumphantly. Sirius couldn't help but feel jealous. For the first time, he questioned himself about the motives for mailing the ring back in the first place.

The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black arrived at the party via portkey. Each invitation turned into a portkey for a brief period of time. Witches and Wizards of age could also apparate if they were so inclined.

As they each placed a hand on the beautifully decorated card, his father said loudly, "Toujours Pur". Sirius felt the familiar tug at his navel and the world blurred around him.

They arrived at an elaborately decorated outdoor enclosure. The whole area was decorated in sliver and white creating a very mystical feeling. Sirius and Regulus dutifully followed their parents through the entrance. The moment the four of them stepped inside, a voice from above boomed, "The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Toujours Pur."

His father had been correct that their presence would be immediately noticed. There was a notable hush of voices and quickly the level of noise increased again now full of gossip and assumptions about the recent arrivals.

Sirius felt very exposed, but his father looked ecstatically thrilled at the attention. Though many people migrated toward them, it took a few moments for anyone to approach them and Sirius could see his father was getting agitated.

The Minister of Magic was the first to approach his parents and he could feel the jealousy in the air from the other families. His parents did not try to hide the honor bestowed on them. The smug glow on their faces from having the Minister personally acknowledge them could hardly be missed.

As the Minister and his parents chatted about world politics it gave Sirius a moment to look around.

The ceiling glittered and the walls were covered with expensive silver chandeliers with glowing candles. A little bit farther ahead a table adorned with delicate embroidery bearing the Prince family crest. On the table was the guest registry and name cards with the table name each guest would be seated for dinner.

After talking with the Minister for a few minutes, Sirius's father brought them over to the table. When they each called out their name, the table they would be seated flashed up. His parents were seated at table Salazar, while Sirius and Regulus would be eating at table Serpent reserved for all underage wizards.

A wizard named Mr. Nicolas Pason, who Sirius was unfamiliar with, was the first to ask about Sirius's placement in Gryffindor. He had a large belly and was wearing a tall top hat.

Immediately his mother and father fell silent as well as people within earshot. Mr. Pason was one of the few people who had the courage to ask the one question on everyone's mind in the presence of formidable Mr. and Mrs. Black. It was no wonder that many guests were so nervous around his parents when they marched around the manor as if it was their own house.

"Sir, I am loyal to the Black family and I uphold all pureblood philosophy."

The words sounded hollow and rehearsed to Sirius, but when the round wizard smiled cheerfully and said, "You've raised him well," Sirius allowed himself to breathe.

Mr. Pason elaborated, "I for one could not believe those ghastly rumors. I told them it would take more than a Gryffindor sorting to change the very essence of what being a Black means. Your sons might enjoy the company of the younger wizards. They are all in the room to your left," the man continued.

"May we, sir?" Regulus asked his father quietly keeping his eyes on the floor.

Sirius was surprised to see his father give his approval. He had expected to be under their watchful eye the entire dinner.

Once they entered the room, Sirius noticed that the population inside consisted of mainly Slytherins or once-Hogwarts-age-would-be-Slytherins. Everyone's heads swiveled in their direction as the brothers entered, but their conversations continued as if they were not there.

Regulus colored a bit and looked at Sirius accusingly. Sirius could have cared less about the way the other families treated them, but Regulus like his parents believed everyone should treat them as royalty.

Eventually Alyssa Malfoy, entering Hogwarts in the fall, asked Regulus a question and. Regulus jumped at the chance. Soon his brother was bragging with the rest of the spoiled rich bunch, leaving Sirius time to think.

And the thinking only made him remember how much he missed hanging late at night with the Gryffindors who talked about things other than how wealthy their families were.

"So Sirius where are you going for vacation?" Alyssa Malfoy asked coyly.

"None of your business," he answered coldly. He needed get out of the room or he might regret what came out of his mouth next.

"Well…" Alyssa continued, "My brother, you know Lucius Malfoy is taking me and his fiancé, Narcissa Black…."

Sirius never actually heard where she was going on vacation because he was out the door in a flash.

His brother noticed his absence right away and chased after him.

Sirius waved him back, "Regulus, I'll be back in awhile."

"But Sirius, mother and father said we were to stay together. You can at least pretend some of these subjects hold your interest. They are all children of the families you will be dealing with once you inherit the family fortune."

"I highly doubt mother and father meant for you to follow me to the bathroom."

"Is that where you're going?"

"Yes."

"If you don't return soon, I'll come looking for you," Regulus warned.

"It's a big house I might get lost. And if I stay in hear any longer I might insult someone. How can you stand it?"

"It was a simple question Alyssa Malfoy asked you. I don't see why you had to be so rude. Our cousin is marrying into that family."

"I don't care."

"I know," Regulus said sadly, "But you should and that's the problem, isn't it? Just stay out of trouble."

After opening various doors finding only guests rooms, he found the Prince's study. It looked very much like his parents study except double the amount of books.

The first section of books was mainly about gaining power and moving up in the world.

The second section held books about the Dark Arts. They were books mainly on spells and curses. Sirius was sure most of them could be considered dark magic.

The last section held books about purity with titles such as:

In a World Unpure What is a Wizard to Do?

Muggle Hunting: The Lost Sport

He selected a book at random from the shelf. It was purple and did not have a title. He was about to open it when a movement in the corner startled him.

"Who's there?" he called his hand instinctively going to his pocket where is wand should be if it hadn't been confiscated.

No one answered and Sirius cautiously moved toward the sound. It had come from behind the desk.

As he looked over the desk, a wand was suddenly at his throat.

"Don't move!" a voice snarled, "Speak only your name."

"Sirius Black."

"Black!" a pale boy stood up quickly drawing his wand back, "How did you get in here?"

"The door was open, Snapelous."

At the mention of his nickname, Snape had his wand pointed directly at Sirius again.

"I suggest you not insult me when you are wandless!" Snape snarled.

"I'm not afraid of you."

"You shouldn't even be allowed in here. The doors are charmed to only let worthy wizards inside."

"That's not surprise. If the doors think you're worthy, why wouldn't I be?"

"It's always such a pleasure taking with you, Black."

"So what are you doing here? Your grandparents are the hosts."

"I could ask the same of you. Did your parents actually allow you attend such prestigious event? I'm surprised you haven't messed it up already. I would have expected you to blow something up by now."

"I know all about you," Sirius said smugly.

"About what?"

"About your father," Sirius said carefully weighing each word.

Snape definitely turned paler though he pretended the words how no effect on him, "My father is ill tonight that is why he was unable to attend."

"I suppose that is why you're hiding. Your grandparents are ashamed of you, ashamed of who your mother married. I know your father is a muggle and I know you're nothing more than a half-blood!"

"No!" Snape bellowed his wand shooting out sparks and then hissed, "How did you find that out?"

"My mother let it slip. Apparently I'm supposed to learn a lesson from your mother's past mistakes. How does it feel Snapelous, to end the ever so pure Prince line with your birth?"

"Be quiet!"

"Wait until I tell everyone…"

"That's rich…I thought Gryffindors don't care about blood…" Snape said recovering a little bit his dignity.

"It doesn't matter what I think because I know plenty of your fellow housemates that will."

"You wouldn't…"

"Wait a minute; I thought some people knew…."

"Only the parents know, not their children. My grandparents…"

"Paid them off, I know,"

"I expect you not to breathe a word, Black."

"Why should I not tell them?"

"Because you're a noble Gryffindor…"

"I don't owe you anything."

"If you keep your silence than I will owe you…"

"And you would honor that oath? Slytherins aren't exactly known for being virtuous."

"Yes," Snape said the word so softly that it was barely audible.

"No," Sirius said simply.

"No what?" Snape asked the patience in his voice was fading.

"No, I won't make any agreement with you. You just remember what I know the next time you insult me about my family or take a dig about my loyalty because before you know it the entire school will know about your heritage."

Sirius felt a prickle of guilt as he said these words. He was angry at Snape, but he knew it wasn't completely right to use Snape's dirty blood against him.

Though the fact that Snape was a half-blood and believed in the blood hierarchy yet he still felt he could talk to Sirius that way did bother Sirius. Sirius had learned his first year at Hogwarts that blood did not go hand and hand with skill, but surely Snape could not think he was better than any Black.

Any further discussion was abruptly stopped as company arrived. Apparently the doors felt most of the guests were worthy of the room's contents. Snape looked aggravated as the room filled up with the same people Sirius had been avoiding.

"Mr. Black, I see your brother was right that you are indeed hiding from us," Lucius said his voice silky and controlled.

Sirius nodded nonchalantly feeling Snape's eyes bore in the back of his head. He noticed everyone was looking at him with more interest than he would have liked.

"I just needed some fresh air."

"In this stuffy study?" Alyssa Malfoy asked with a tittering laugh. A few other girls laughed along with her.

"I was outside for a bit and than I noticed Snape among these books and figured I should share a few words with him."

"Yes, well Snape has always preferred the solitude of knowledge. Not that his thirst for dark magic has not come in handy," Malfoy said, "You cannot hide from us any longer Sirius Black. The truth has surfaced and your rightfully deserve much praise for your service."

"What truth?" Sirius asked blankly.

"You cannot play dumb with us anymore Black. Malfoy heard it directly from your mother and father's lips," one of the Lestrange brothers said.

"What did you hear Malfoy?" Snape asked his beady black eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Tell him Sirius," Alyssa said smiling prettily, "And then we all want to know the gritty details."

"I really don't know what you're talking about," Sirius said truthfully though the butterflies in his stomach were fluttering full swing now.

"Now is not the time to be modest," Malfoy said, "Not many of us could have survived a whole year undercover in Gryffindor!"

"What!" both Sirius and Snape uttered at the same time.

Now everyone in the room was staring at him waiting eagerly for his response.

Sirius rounded on Malfoy, "You heard this from my parents!"

Thankfully Malfoy mistook his anger. He thought Sirius was angry at the fact that his cover had now been blown.

His mother's words spoken a few days before surfaced in his mind, "Your status… right now shaky, but trust me… by the end of the party they will be begging to be your friend …."

At the time Sirius had not picked upon the subtle message.

Though Malfoy had continued to talk, Sirius still in shock at the revelation only heard key words such as "trick the Sorting hat", "Howler sent for effect" and "things he had to endure to gain the Potter boy's trust".

A girl three years older than Sirius said, "It's a shame you couldn't have stayed undercover longer because it would have dealt a harder blow on the James Potter. That family was always too trusting. It is time they see the price you pay for believing there is good in everyone."

It took every bit of Sirius's strength not to blurt out the truth. Sirius realized it would be absolutely disastrous to do so. He doubted anyone would believe him and if they did the consequences would be disastrous. Sirius would not hurt the family name even more by publicly calling his parent's liars.

"Why would Black pretend to be a Gryffindor and James Potter's friend?" Snape asked. Sirius had a feeling Snape was seeing through the ruse.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, Severus," Malfoy spat

"How could you stand living with that filth?" Alyssa asked, "I would have never lasted even a day!"

Snape though was not biting, "Have you forgotten how close Potter and Black where? Have you forgotten how he hexed, insulted and embarrassed the Slytherins!"

"I had to," Sirius found himself saying, "I didn't want my cover blow. And it was awful at first sharing a Common Room with all that un-pure blood, which was why it took me a long time to gain their trust. They could tell I didn't really want to be there. And the Gryffindors do trust too easily. I just had to wait for an opportunity where I could act nobly and Potter was begging me to be his friend."

His words seemed to satisfy them all. All expect Snape who was shaking his head in disbelief.

Sirius would worry about him later. His parents had known he would react this way he realized and this worried him above anything else. They would have not taken the risk otherwise.

"Well you'll be a hero in Slytherin next year," the other Lestrange brother remarked, "I wish I could be there when Potter finds out you've been duping him all year."

"I didn't know my cover was blown" Sirius asked trying to keep the fact that this really bothered him out of the tone of his voice.

"I'm sure the Potters will hear about it first thing in the morning. I saw one or two of their friends in attendance and it does seem your trickery is the topic of the party," Malfoy said, "Shame you couldn't tell him to his face, eh?"

"Err…yea…" Sirius muttered.

The rest of the party consisted of him answering questions about his time in Gryffindor. Suddenly everyone wanted to talk to him and to hear exactly how the other side lived.

Sirius sighed with relief when they were all forced to sit down to eat dinner. By making sure his mouth was full most of the time, he only had to nod and grunt rather than talk about his experience.

Sirius hurriedly joined his mother and father when it was time to start saying goodbye to everyone. All the questions were beginning to grate on his nerves. So when he placed his hand on the invitation once more, instead of the apprehension he had felt at the begging of the day, all he felt was a sense of relief that the party was over.

Safely back in the Black manner, Sirius was startled when his father patted him affectionately on the shoulder.

"My son, I've never been prouder! You've finally acted like a true, Black. Welcome back to the family."

The words Sirius had been waiting to hear since the start of his Hogwarts year, suddenly made him grow cold.

Why did he suddenly feel so ashamed?

A/N. Thanks for reading…if you can please leave a review. Each and every one will be appreciated.

As for when the next chapter will be posted, the earliest in two weeks and the latest in five weeks.

EverKitsune: well its great to see people so eager to read my story…haha…and I'm sorry this update took so long, but things happen, so what can you do…the important thing is that I did eventually update, right? Haha…well I'm glad I made Snape's history believable because I think that new detail about him makes him even more interesting character than before

brennQT: well in the end Sirius didn't have a completely awful time at the party…but some interesting things did develop for him and Sirius is starting to finally see some important thing and I'm glad you liked that bit from Regulus's pov…hmmm I wonder if he is R.A. B.

Mokona Deh Bunny: hehe…Sirius's parents always have something nasty planned for him…poor guy…Sirius did sort off behave himself, but as you can see making his family proud is not analogous with Sirius feeling good about himself

Mozambique: I'm glad you enjoyed both my stories and that you find Regulus and Sirius's relationship so interesting because I definitely plan on continuing to right about it. And their relationship will off course play a bigger part in the story, once Regulus goes to Hogwarts

EsScaper: Yea it does seem strange that Sirius would even consider taking up his family's plans, but as you said he's still young and his family is still important, but he's definitely making progress toward eventually completely cutting himself when he runs away at the age of 16. His parents are going to find out that all their pushing and prodding to get Sirius to be the perfect heir, is going to do the complete opposite

Jojo: thanks for the review! When you're a marauder (or a marauder-to be) there's always trouble ; )

kyLaaa: yes…in book seven Harry's return to Godrics Hallow will definitely be interesting, maybe we'll finally find out exactly what happened the night Harry received that scar

Kathrina-B: thanks for the review and their will be more Sirius-Regulus interaction as the summer progresses

Shadow929: I know, Book 6 was really sad, I'm actually just starting to read over the 6th book again…thanks for your review

Paige-rossi-Black: haha…yes Mrs. Black is one of a kind…thankfully…thanks for the review and please keep reading

Potterscar: thank you so much…I really hate it when characters are well out of character and I'm happy to hear everyone is in character in my story…and Regulus is a very interesting character especially if he turns out to be the elusive R.A.B.

Moony931: thanks for the review, I'm glad you're continuing to read sequel

Anonymous (name was left blank): thank you very much! I think its important to remember that as much as Sirius hates his family in later life, at one time I believe he wanted their approval. And I think this struggle makes a very interesting story…well hopefully it does since I'm writing it, hehe