A/N:Okay, the next update! Christmas was becoming a long chapter so I split it in two. It seemed to want to end where it did, I should have part 2 by Monday at the latest. Draco is first thing in part 2, I PROMISE! I couldn't bring him into part 1 without the break being awkward.
Chapter Seventeen- Christmas Part 1
Rial woke with a lazy yawn, stretching his arms above his head, placing his hands flat on the headboard. Picking up his wand which was sitting on the bedside table he flicked it at the curtains that covered his glass balcony doors. The heavy black fabric slid away, exposing Rial to bright early sunlight. He smiled at the sight that met his eyes; the grounds at Black Manor looked spectacular in winter.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood, hissing as he did so. :Cyphre, where are you?:
:Under the bed, master. It is warm and dark here, the ssun is too bright.:
Rial chuckled softly at his familiar's put out tone. It amused him to no end that he owned such a picky companion. Walking over to his closet he considered the array of clothing. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve; they would be welcoming company for most of the day. With that in mind, he wanted to dress with more care than usual.
He worried his lower lip between his teeth as he thought. Though Sirius had been trying to break him of the habit, it was one of the few bad habits he possessed that wouldn't go away. He tilted his head to the side and carefully removed a set that he hadn't worn yet. It was both comfortable and elegant and would suit nicely. With that decision made, he headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
Once he was clean, dressed and fully awake he hissed at Cyphre :Would you like to stay here and sleep, or come with me?:
:I will go with you, master.:
:Cyphre, how many times have I asked you to NOT call me master?:
:Many,: was Cyphre's returning quip as he slithered out from under the bed.
Rial shook his head and picked up his familiar, who gratefully curled up under the dark edge of his collar. Once the snake was situated he left his bedroom, carefully shutting the door behind him. His room was a bit of a mess, he would need to straighten it up before their guests started to arrive.
He smiled brightly as he remembered his company. Blaise and Pansy would be coming today and would spend tonight and the next day with him. Since Draco was coming as well along with his father, they were turning it into a sleepover in his rooms. He was looking forward to spending some time with his friends outside of school.
This would be his first Christmas at Black Manor and only his second away from the Potters. He was both anticipating it and thoroughly nervous. He didn't know if Sirius' family had different traditions from the Potters and he was anxious about his father's reactions to the first Christmas gifts he'd ever given to a parent. He hadn't exactly had the pocket change to buy anything for Lily and James, not that he ever would have; given the opportunity.
He thought for a moment, trying to remember who all was coming to the Manor today. Severus, Lucius, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Regulus, Remus… That sounded right.
He walked down to the smaller informal dining room, smiling at his father. Sirius was already seated at the table with a cup of tea and a couple scones. He was impeccably dressed in a dark blue robe over a silvery-grey silk shirt and his favourite pair of black leather trousers. The family signet ring glinted on his left hand as he absently turned the pages of the Daily Prophet.
Sirius was a handsome individual, with an aristocratic face that hinted at the elegance of a bloodline that traced to the 1800's. The ancestry behind those that had taken the name of 'Black' went back to the Middle Ages. Sirius' family had its share of cruel, arrogant witches and wizards, but it was also one of the most powerful remaining pureblood families. The Blacks had not produced a Squib since Marius back in 1918.
"Good morning, Father," Rial said with a smile.
"Morning, Rial. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, though I am excited about the guests we have coming today."
"So am I. I trust you will be getting Blaise, Pansy and Draco outside today or tomorrow?" Grey eyes glinted with humour.
"Most definitely," Rial affirmed, looking out at the snow on the grounds. Looking back at his father he hesitated for a moment.
"Rial, you know you can ask me whatever you want," Sirius reminded his son.
He sighed, thought for a moment and said, "Are you part of Dumbledore's efforts against the Dark Lord?"
Sirius blinked. "What would make you ask that?"
"Sev and I were leaving the dungeons on the start of the holidays when James Potter came down to speak with Sev. He asked for Sev to remind you and Remus about a party Dumbledore is holding on the 27th."
Sirius considered him for a moment and said, "Yes, Rial. I am part of the war. You don't need to worry about me, however."
"Who's all part of it?"
Sirius arched an eyebrow and said, "Albus Dumbledore, James and Lily, Most of the Weasley brood, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dawlish, Emmaline Vance, Severus, Remus, Regulus and myself. Before you ask, it's called the Order of the Phoenix and the location is under Fidelius."
"How do you think Dumbledore would react if he knew I was trying to make a third side?"
"I think it would be best if that didn't leak out, or at least your involvement did not. Between Albus and James they have the power to make your O.W.L. year very difficult."
Rial ate his breakfast in silence after that, thinking about the third side he still wanted to create. He had just finished his late breakfast when the wards flared. His father tilted his head sideways and considered what the old magic was telling him.
"It's Regulus," he informed his son.
"May I go greet him?"
"Go ahead."
Rial gracefully stood up and pushed in his chair before leaving the room at a swift walk. His uncle was here and Rial intended to get his help on getting his oblivious father to realise Severus liked him as more than a friend.
-D-N-S-D-
Sirius watched his son leave the dining room with appraising grey eyes. Where had all those questions about the Order come from? He sincerely hoped Rial wasn't going to try and infiltrate the Order meeting. However, he had his doubts that was the goal in his son's mind.
He was certainly eager to greet Regulus. His mind turned down a different track and he decided to be cautious. Rial may be a Slytherin, but he had been a Marauder. If there were any pranks planned for the Christmas break he would be alert for them.
He turned back to his paper, scowling at the image of Cornelius Fudge on the cover. The Minister was pushing through legislature that was going to make it difficult or near impossible to oust James from his new seat at Hogwarts. He'd gone far enough to make him 'High Inquisitor', a new pompous title that meant James was an extension of the Board of Governors and in charge of reviews of classes and their teachers.
He hoped James wouldn't be able to oust Severus from his job. As head of Slytherin house and Potions Master, the man did tend to favour his own students but the Slytherins were the ones who had received all their theoretical potions lessons before ever attending a class. They were a ways ahead of any Muggleborn or a child raised amongst the Muggle world.
More than that, he was simply worried for the spy. The man's shaky position amongst the Death Eaters was only as strong as it was because he was able to bring news straight from the school. If he lost the position his punishment from the Dark Lord could be severe. Depending on the man's mood, that could go from several bouts of 'Crucio' to a Killing Curse.
If Severus was fired, several young purebloods would likely be pulled. Blaise, Draco, Pansy and Torian were most likely. Without the Head who had made life bearable for them at the school, the bigotry and prejudice would be intolerable. Sirius had already made his decision. Rial would not remain at Hogwarts without Severus there to protect him.
Tension was certainly rising. Sirius could only hope that everything turned out positively. He didn't want to lose any of the people who had come to mean so much to him.
-D-N-S-D-