A/N: OK. Longer chapter this time. I hope you guys keep on reviewing. Next chapter I'll try to focus a bit more on Robyn/Remus and Lily/Snape...I'm gonna try to get to the train in two chapters, so the next one might be a bit longer and take me a little longer to get out :/ maybe if you all review i'll get it out a bit faster ;)

AJ felt as though she were on Cloud Nine. Nothing could bother her now, and yet something didn't feel quite right. Suddenly a voice spoke through the haze.

"Walk closer to Sirius and elegantly put your arm forward for him to take. Allow him to escort you to dinner."

AJ immediately obliged and like a perfect gentleman, Sirius took her arm. They were quickly cleaned up and then they made their way to dinner like royalty. A house elf announced them and they swept in. The giant hall now contained a variety of tables. Many small two to five person tables littered the edges of the room, the tables got steadily larger as they made their way toward the stage where an enormous table was made for the families of the hosts. Nearly all seats were full by now. It now was obvious just how many pure bloods were present. There were thousands. Many were from other countries and surprisingly they all seemed to know each other. Everyone's eyes followed the young couple from the moment they entered the room.

AJ and Sirius moved gracefully with carefully etched expressions of comfort and happiness. They made their way to their seats near their mothers' vacant seats and Sirius pulled out AJ's chair. She sat, thanking him graciously. Soon after, Mrs. Black and Mrs. Jenkins strode through the double doors. Their eyes swept the room. Their eyes rested on the two children and, spotting no concerns, the two women allowed small smirks to grace their features.

Across the room James narrowed his eyes. He found it very odd that Sirius and AJ were acting so proper. They even had the pureblood smirk. It wasn't like them at all. They had never let themselves look or act like this before. James was also unnerved by the self-assured looks that the two older women bore. No mother of Sirius or AJ should ever look self-assured, let alone at the same time. Those two are too unpredictable for any parent to be at ease.

As the house-elves brought in the food James continued to stare at his friends. His prediction was proved correct about halfway through the meal. As the two children's mothers became increasingly more absorbed in their surrounding conversations the two children stiffened. James watched with interest, as this was the first time the two had acted different from the surrounding purebloods since they had reentered the room. He watched as the two gave each other a small glance and began to jerkily reach for their glasses of pumpkin juice. With one last jerk each, they both knocked their glasses over, successfully pouring the orange liquid onto their mothers' laps.

The two outraged women grabbed their wands and muttered something under their breaths. Sirius and AJ immediately leaped to their feet and stopped snickering.

"I am so sorry mother!"

"Mother, I apologize!"

The two rang out over the now silent hall. James could almost pick out a hint of sarcasm in their voices, but if it was there it was very subtle. He longed for them to act like themselves; acting so stuck up seemed unnatural for them.

With a muttered spell the two women were clean and dry. They turned and smiled a very fake smile at their children.

"It is quite all right. No harm was done."

"It was only a mistake."

Sirius and AJ, still apologizing, sat back down. Eventually the hall settled back into a tone of easy conversation, and the meal ended with no further mishaps. As the meal finished up Sirius and AJ made their way up to the stage, arm-in-arm. James elbowed his way through the crowd, desperate to reach them and find out what was wrong. He was too late however, because Sirius began to speak over the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would first like to apologize for my own, and my betrothed's atrocious actions. Upon hearing that we were finally to be considered betrothed we were overcome by such joy. We were entirely unprepared for the emotion and thus proceeded to faint. We felt the need to ascend to the stage to make sure that you understand that we are thrilled with this development. We wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression."

James gaped in shock. There was no way that this was Sirius Black, and yet it had to be. It would have been impossible to make a copy that exact. The same hair, the same face, the same height. The eyes were the same, yet there was something different, almost as though Sirius's normal attitude wasn't being displayed through them. His eyes seemed colder, more pureblood, in every bad sense of the word.

The only reason he had even begun to doubt Sirius's identity was the person behind the appearance. The Sirius he knew would never have spoken so properly. The Sirius he knew would never have that cold, indifferent, arrogant look upon his face. The Sirius he knew would never have gone this long without teasing, humiliating, or pranking someone. The Sirius he knew could never have kept a straight face for this long. The Sirius he knew-

James's thoughts were cut short as he saw AJ step forward on the stage. He let out a mental groan. He had a feeling that this would be no better than Sirius's speech. She gave a bright smile. Immediately James could tell that this wasn't the AJ he knew, and he hadn't even known her that long. She was acting too… girly.

"Because we so rudely interrupted our mothers earlier this evening, one or two important announcements were forgotten. First I would like to address the date of our (James could swear he heard a barely perceptible pause) marriage. The wedding will occur during the summer after our seventh year at Hogwarts. The wedding must be placed at this time so that both Sirius and I are of age. Everyone in attendance tonight is invited and encouraged to come. Now I'm sure all of you would like to get back to your entertainments. We would like to thank you for attending tonight and also for your attention."

Sirius carefully helped AJ off of the stage. This alone was suspicious. AJ would never let Sirius help her. Sirius then escorted AJ out of the room. Their progress was extremely slow as nearly everyone seemed to stop them to offer congratulations. James followed at a short distance. He watched as they graciously smiled, shook hands, and nodded at all of the right moments. He continued trailing them as they made their way out of the hall and down into the white room. Though James walked through the door mere moments after them he saw that they were already seated in a white loveseat.

James stomped over to them. "What is wrong with you two?"

"Whatever do you mean James?" AJ asked.

"Why are you acting so proper? You aren't… right!"

"James, Alice and I are perfectly fine. We have only accepted that we are to be married," Sirius said calmly.

"I guess that makes sense- HEY! Wait! That proves it! AJ would never let you call her Alice! You're both acting brainwashed. What happened to you two?"

"Nothing has happened. Our mothers just convinced us that this is what is best for us."

"Exactly. Now, what should we do?"

James sighed, slightly giving in. Maybe they were the same. They were stubborn enough. "I guess we could play a game."

"Like what?" AJ asked.

James suddenly grinned. "How about 'Truth or Dare'?" he asked.

"Sure, why not." They both said.

"Me first though," James cried.

"Fine."

"Hmm," James said, acting as though he were thinking hard. Suddenly he spun and pointed to AJ. "AJ! Truth or dare?"

AJ jumped. Her eyes flicked back and forth, "Um, truth."

James smirked. "Ok, well, answer me truthfully, what were you and Sirius doing while you two were away? You were gone quite a while and I saw your mothers walk past and leave you two alone for probably ten minutes."

AJ stared James in the face for a moment, her face perfectly empty of emotion. Then she smiled just as she had up on the stage and replied, "We were bonding. Our mothers told us that there was no way to escape our marriage and so Sirius and I decided that we should get used to being together. Our mothers left us alone so that we could be together for a bit."

Her answer actually sounded plausible to him. His resolve in his argument was beginning to waver. What could he do if they had decided to become just like all of the other pureblood children out there. He sighed, nearly defeated. His friends were changing, and not for the better.

"So, Sirius, truth or dare?" he heard AJ say quietly. He looked up.

"Dare. I mean, I'd do whatever you say. I lo-" Sirius's face scrunched up and he stopped speaking. A moment later his face relaxed and he smiled his old smile. He walked over and looked her in the eyes. Then he continued. "I think I could possibly love you someday, but only you. Not this puppet you are now."

AJ suddenly stumbled forward. He grabbed her shoulders and steadied her. "S- Sirius, is it actually you? Do you really?"

He nodded slightly, "Well I think so at least. I don't know. It's really confusing. One day I bet I will."

AJ hugged Sirius, "Me too."

Sirius gaze became frantic. "AJ? Are you sure you're you? I mean, you're kinda hugging me."

She pulled back slightly. "Yes I'm me. Of course I'm hugging you. I like you, you idiot, and I'm your girlfriend."

"Well if that's the case," Sirius smirked, "then hug me all you want babe." He grabbed her arms, pulled her close, and squeezed her with all of his might. AJ giggled and tried to shove away. After a moment of struggle she hugged him back. They stood like that unmoving for a moment before someone cleared their throat. The two looked over. James was standing there with an incredulous look upon his face.

"Back up." He said. "You two are boyfriend and girlfriend? I doubt it. I really don't think that you two are actually you. So I want you to prove it."

"Prove what?"

"Prove that you two are you and that you are boyfriend and girlfriend."

"How can we prove that we're boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Kiss."

"Kiss?"

"Kiss. Well, more than that. You two have to snog."

"WHAT?" AJ and Sirius yelled.

"You heard me."

The unfortunate two turned their heads to stare at each other. Slowly they leaned in and brought their lips together. They both gasped and leapt backwards blushing.

"Oh come on!" James said. "That wasn't good enough."

"Potter I'm going to kill you one day." Sirius said.

The two moved together again. This time they brought their lips together quicker. Sirius moved his arms around her waist comfortably and AJ brought her hands up to rest on his shoulders. This lasted a few seconds before they pulled apart. As they stood side-by-side Sirius kept his arm around AJ's waist.

"Well I believe that proves it," Sirius said.

AJ smirked as James remained speechless. After a few minutes of watching James struggle AJ and Sirius looked at each other once again. AJ quickly brought her lips to Sirius's and pulled back. He looked shocked. Then he smirked and kissed her. Their little fight lasted a bit longer. James brought it to an end however.

"Alright already! I get the picture! You two are boyfriend and girlfriend, but earlier Sirius swore he would never kiss AJ so this makes me doubt at least his identity. Then AJ is just acting really weird. I can't even describe it… you just are acting kinda girly I guess, which is not like the you I've known for these few hours." He paused for a breath but before he could continue he was interrupted.

"Well I can easily prove that I am me." Sirius said.

"And how is that?" James asked.

"Once upon a time, last year to be exact, wittle Jamesy had a friend over to spend the night. This friend carefully placed Jamesy's hand into a glass of water as he slept. The next morning Jamesy found that he had wet the bed. He had no idea why he had, or who had done it, but he was so upset that he proceeded to snap his broom in half. Jamesy was then so upset that his mum had to go out and buy a new one that very same day. The end." Sirius looked over to see James was being held in place by AJ, her hand over his mouth so that she could hear the story. After he had finished AJ released James and gripped her sides as she laughed.

James stood still for a minute, rubbing his mouth. "AJ," he whined. "That really hurt."

Just as she was about to retort Sirius spoke up. "Honey you can be as rough as you want with me."

James and AJ looked at him in amazement.

"How is it that you can be this perverted and be only eleven?" AJ asked.

"Well darling, how is it that you can be as violent and crazy as you are and be only eleven?"

"He has a point."

"I hate it when he has a point."

"No sweetie you love it."

"AAGGGHHH! Stop with the stupid names!" AJ groaned as she flopped down on the nearest bed.

"Wow I bet it won't be long before you two are just like all those other gross couples, doing stuff at conventions." James muttered.

"I wouldn't want to do that at this place." AJ said without thinking. She clapped her hand over her mouth, mortified.

The two boys stared at her in shock. Sirius recovered first. He made his way carefully towards her. The bed sunk down as he sat beside AJ. "AJ," he began. "Where would you want to do it?"

She glanced up, furious into his joking face. After a moment she calmed down and her lips formed a dainty smirk. "I'll do it where ever you want to baby." She said in a whisper as she leaned forward.

Sirius stared at her in shock, his mouth opening and closing. Finally he leaned in and said, "Nice come-back Hun."

"Who said anything about a come-back? I wasn't trying to make a come-back," AJ said with an innocent smile, following by kissing him.

Once again Sirius was surprised, but this time he grinned and kissed her again. This went on back and forth for a few more moments before James got sick and tired of this. He shoved them apart and sat in between them.

"Ok, ok! Enough already! My Merlin, you've only been going out for a few hours at most! You're just being disgusting. You two need to back off from each other. From now on you two are not allowed anywhere alone."

"Aw, come on!"

"Please!"

"No! What is wrong with you two? Honestly."

The group sat in unhappy silence for about five minutes. They shifted around uncomfortably. Carefully, AJ and Sirius slid their arms around behind James and quietly held hands. Then James jumped up.

"What time is it?"

Sirius glanced up. "I don't know, but it must be getting late."

"Well we'd better hurry and do our prank then."

"Oh! Right!" AJ cried, jumping to her feet. "Let's get going!"

THREE HOURS LATER

Everything was set up. The three mischievous children had found a staircase leading up to a balcony overlooking the main ballroom. The fireworks had now been soaking in the color potion for 20 minutes and they were just waiting for the clock to strike midnight before they poured the drops of motion-inducing potion onto the fireworks.

5 minutes…They began their countdown.

4 minutes…The potion bottle was opened.

3 minutes…The three began eagerly looking over the balcony railing.

2 minutes to go and things were looking good.

Then 1 minute and 30 seconds rolled along and everything went to hell.

"Ah what do we have here? The three wittle brats Auntie Wally was looking for."

The three children spun around. There standing in the door was a beautiful young woman leaning smugly against the wall at the head of the stairs. Her sleek black hair was a curtain framing her face. Amusement shone in her heavily lidded eyes.

"Bella! Please! Just for once don't ruin everything!" cried Sirius softly.

"Hm…" the woman tapped a long finger slowly on her cheek in contemplation. "Let me think about that. Help you to cause mayhem and in turn incur the wrath of my own parents, or turn you in and get to watch your punishments…"

AJ, seeing where this was going, edged closer to the fireworks. Their prank would go forward. Suddenly her movement froze against her will.

The black haired witch laughed. "You really thought I'd let you do that? Honey you're more stupid than your mother let on. What is it she said? Oh! 'Bellatrix, go find my moronic little bitch and make sure she and your cousin aren't doing something else to fuck up our families' reputations.' And look what I found! Exactly that."

Sirius took a step forward before, with a wave of Bellatrix's wand, he too was immobile.

"Oh dearest cousin, you know me better than that! Thank god I'm out of school and can use magic whenever I please. Now, how to best orchestrate this…" She looked up lazily at James. "You'd best run along little blood traitor. Wouldn't want you to see anything that might bother your lovely parents now would we." When it became obvious he wasn't going anywhere her face contorted a bit. "If your family wasn't so high in the Ministry… Merlin damn you Muggle-huggers. Go!"

As brave as James pretended to be, Bellatrix was a terrifying woman. He ran out the door and down the steps, continuing until he was forced to pause gasping for breath somewhere on the opposite end of the building.

"What do I do?" he muttered angrily. "I could go back…No. She might not let me leave again. I could get help…No. That doesn't work. What could they do?"

James began to pace. James was a smart boy, but this was a bit over his head. Saving two preteens from the evil wrath of their parents was more than he had ever had to handle before.

Suddenly he heard a group heading toward him. He jumped back into the shadows behind a conveniently placed statue of a sphinx. Peering around he saw a group of three people who looked to be about Bellatrix's age.

"Rabastan, Rodolphus, why does Bella want us to join her now?" whined a stick-like pale, blond girl.

"Because her aunt asked her to make sure her cousin and his betrothed were behaving, and to bring them to her at the first sign of trouble. You know she loves to play with her food first. Though I'm sure this won't be nearly as much fun as we were having back there." Rabastan winked at the blond. The girl giggled and it wasn't long before they were out of sight.

James thought for a moment, digging his hands into his pockets. He had to have some trick up his sleeve. He couldn't just leave them to the mercy of Bellatrix. That would be like putting them to their deaths. He was standing there wasting a few precious seconds when he realized what exactly was in his pocket. It was then that he began to smirk. Suddenly, things didn't look quite so grim for his two friends.