CH06: HIS FRIENDS

Dear Sirius Black,

You and guests are cordially invited to the Black Family Ball being held in #12, Grimmauld Place in honour of Lord Orion Black's 43rd birthday on the 14th day of February 1972. Arrangements have been made with your headmaster to allow your transport via Floo network for this night only.
Formal Dress robes would of course be required in the shades of Black and Green. Your presence is expected at 20:00 sharp.
Post Script: Your cousin, Bellatrix has asked me to inform you that your presence is absolutely essential.
Yours sincerely,
Lady Walburga Black

Sirius continued to look at the letter in front of him, bewildered. He hasn't got a single letter from his family since he was abducted and tortured, nor any sign that they were aware of anything, but he had no doubt that they were. And his dad's birthday came every year and 43rd is not really all that special occasion. He felt suspicious, especially since his Gryffindor friends were invited too.

Why is Lady Black inviting blood traitors and Gryffindors to her Lord Husband's birthday?

"What's wrong, Sirius?" asked Remus. "You've been staring at that letter for the past ten minutes. Is anything wrong?"

"My mother has invited all of us to my father's birthday party," said Sirius slowly, his eyes still fixed on the letter.

Silence greeted him. It was no secret among the Marauders and well, most of the school the tension between the Black family and their heir, especially with the whole wizarding world aware of the tug of war currently on going between Lord Black and Lord Potter in the Wizengamot as well as how much the Blacks traditionally disliked everything Gryffindor.

"I would love to check out your gorgeous house elf," James joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Sirius laughed, as usual unable to resist his best friend's contagious humour.

"Yea I bet he would be pleased to make acquaintance with your attractive blood traitor arse as well," said Sirius.

"Would you be going?" Peter asked curiously.

"I guess. My presence is absolutely essential," He quoted dully. Actually, he wanted to attend this ball. He wanted to know whether Bella would shed some light on the abduction affair, when they met in person. Moreover, he found it hard to refuse her cousin, in her nicer requests or demands (same difference really.) "Would you guys come? Make the evening more tolerable,"

"Definitely," James said as Sirius knew that he would. James had the most reason to avoid all things Black family related. But It was unlike James to give up spending the evening with his best friends, if they needed him, for something as 'trivial' as a family feud.

Remus shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know SIrius. The night of the ball is awfully close to the day when I'm supposed to go visit my mother,"

"How does that make a difference, Remus?" James asked. "You would be back, that very night itself right?"

Remus avoided looking at his friends. Once again Sirius felt like Remus was hiding something from him and every time he got that feeling, it was related to Remus's monthly trips to visit his mom who was sick.

He chanced a sideway glance at James and he could see it in his best friend's face that similar thoughts were running through his head. They had long agreed to drop the matter. If their friend, who was otherwise honest to a fault, was lying about something, it had to be mighty personal.

"Alright, I'd come," He said finally. I can't pass out on the delightful prospect of meeting Kreacher," His tone had no humour in it though he grinned. James and Sirius both forced laughter, helping Remus bridge the awkward moment. Peter who was caught slightly unaware regarding the whole situation, laughed along too after a while, as always following James and Sirius's lead.

"What about you, Pete?" Sirius asked him. "You in for a night at the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black?" He mimicked the last part in a high pitched tone.

Peter nodded enthusiastically then composing himself, said "sounds good,"

Sirius beamed around at his friends, silently thankful.

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Bellatrix Lestrange or Black as she still thought of herself did not like parties and social affairs. As much pride as she had in her pureblood heritage, the customs that came along with it grew direly mundane. She had already had the customary dance with the man of honour, Lord Black and had given him, his gift, a ring which contained several magical powers and protections, some of her own design to wear along with his old Black family ring which was to be worn only by the head of house. She had for some time let herself dream of wearing that ring one day, but she knew her place was not as the head of an old family anymore, it was as the second in command to the most powerful wizard that had ever lived and will ever live.

The boy who that she wanted to transform into the man who would one day wear that coveted ring was still nowhere to be seen. It was getting tiresome, trying to mould Sirius into the man he is supposed to be. The physical and magical training was easy enough, it was his moral tuning that was becoming harder than she had expected. The Gryffindor part of him was becoming a bigger hindrance than she had dreamt.

She still believed firmly what she had told her aunt. Sirius was too much of a rebel and too strong to be forcefully coerced into accepting their ways but the recent incident had been very bothersome to say the least. Being reprimanded by her lord hit hard than a thousand cruciatus curses, combined. She never wanted to see the look of disappointment in his face again. But Bellatrix didn't regret saving Sirius. Lucius had no right placing his filthy hands on her cousin. And yet, if the boy had obliged to the quite sensible offer, things would have turned out splendidly well for all of them.

Loyalty.

What a double edged knife of a characteristic that was. She had it herself. And Sirius practically reeked of it. But she believed that it was one character that would benefit the cause well when Sirius turns over to the right side. But for now, his loyalties lay with those little friends of his. And that's where her problems began. They were all stupid Gryffindors who had stupid blood traitor values ingrained in them and Sirius was slowly imbibing them too, she feared. She had heard a lot from Sirius about all of them and had a fair understanding of what they were like, as much of an understanding she could get without meeting them. She didn't see Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew becoming much of a problem. Peter sounded too much of a follower to actually become a bother to her and Lupn didn't seem much of a leader either. Both of them, Bella had incurred from what Sirius said, to be from weak families, too mundane to bother about.

James Potter, that's who seemed to be the real problem

She knew from listening to him that Sirius loved the boy like a brother, much more than Regulus. Both from strong pureblood families, brought up rich and highly skilled in magical arts or their age, they were becoming almost kindred souls. In a normal circumstance, the boy himself would be quite an asset. But that was out of the question. The Potters were as much of a light family as the fool Dumbledore himself.

Her initial impulse had been to get his friends out of the picture, if they became too problematic. But recent events had made her realize it won't be so easy. If Sirius would defend Frank Longbottom, who wasn't even in his close circle of friends, with such a threat impending on his own life, what would he not do for the other three, especially James Potter? She even suspected, he had a higher hold over Sirius's affection than she, herself. Hence she resolved, to see for herself what the three were like before she determined a course of action. She had convinced her aunt to allow Sirius to bring three guests for Lord Black's birthday ball (It had of course been obvious to her, who Sirius would choose.) and then convinced her family to be civil to the boys. Anything wrong happening to his three friends in his own house would serve to truly alienate Sirius from his family.

No, tonight would all be out sizing these three little brats up.

"Miss Bella,"

She was awoken from her thoughts by the squeaky voice of the house elf. "Young master Sirius and his three friends have arrived. The Lady Black has asked for your presence in the hall,"

She replied with a curt nod.

Show time.

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Bellatrix sipped quietly on a glass of mead as she sat by the fireplace. The party was long over and Lord and Lady Black had retired to their room as had her parents, Cygnus and Druella Black. In front of her sat her thirteen year old cousin, looking thoughtfully at the fire place, quieter than what was characteristic for the boy. She had decided to stay at Grimmauld Place for the night and had convinced her cousin to do the same. She had extended the same invitation to his friends, but the Headfool of Hogwarts Albus Dumbdork had not granted permission.

The night's observations had yielded very confusing results for Bella. When Sirius and his friends first arrived, Bella had gone to the hall and observed from the shadows, without announcing her arrival.

Sirius had greeted his father with a customary bow and a very awkward and formal hug. Then he had turned to his friends and said, "May I introduce my lord father, Orion Black," Then turning back to his father, he added. "Father, these are my friends Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin and James Potter,"

Bella studied them as one by one they stepped forward to greet her uncle. First Remus Lupin stepped forward, he looked thin and sickly and his robe was slightly too big for him.

"Happy Birthday, Lord Black," He said with a nervous smile to which Orion nodded curtly, without a smile and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lupin,"

Then Peter stepped forward, looking pudgy and fidgeting slightly but beaming in a very repulsively enthusiastic way. "Lord Black, it's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance. I've heard so much about you. Happy Birthday, sir," He said.

"Well thank you, Mr. Pettigrew. But if it was from my son, I doubt that they were good things," Orion said with a little laugh, looking at Sirius who let out a little bark like laughter.

All eyes were on James Potter as he stepped forward. He was dressed well and wore spectacles. His hair was ruffled and unkempt.

He greeted Lord Back in the traditional pureblood manner with a courteous bow and a handshake. "Lord Black, on behalf of my lord father and the Potter family as well as my own self I offer you joyous birthday greetings. May Merlin give you a long and prosperous life, may your family ever grow and progress and may your magic be at peace," Bella observed two sides of James Potter in that moment itself. He was courteous and was saying the customary words but his eyes gleamed with mischief, a mischief she had noticed all too often in her cousin.

"Thank you Mr Potter. May Merlin keep you at peace and your family at everlasting contentment. How fares dear Charlus?" Orion asked politely, twirling his Black famly ring slightly with his other hand.

"Very well, thank you. I hope I find you healthy as well," replied James.

"My magic and health are at its prime, thank merlin," said Orion. Then he addressed all three guests and said. "I am pleased by your presence. Sirius does us great injustice with the rarity of his friends' visits. Move along now. Enjoy the party,"

They smiled and started to walk when James noticed Walburga.

He bowed slightly to her and said, "Lady Black, an honour,"

Her aunt looked like James had slapped her across the face. She opened her mouth and closed, suppressing whatever that had come to her mind. She curtly nodded. Bellatrix observed the four teenagers; Sirius looked slightly relieved, Remus and Peter both looked nervous but James's face betrayed no lack of composure. He smiled and started walking behind Sirius.

She decided to let her presence be known. She walked in to the hall regally, her head held up high and not looking at anyone, moving to stand in front of the quartet.

"Dear Merlin, this place is infested with Gryffindors. I don't think Grimmauld Place would stand today with this much lions in one place," She said haughtily.

Four pairs of eyes turned to her. The grey ones, danced with humour.

Sirius turned to his friends and said, "James, Remus, Peter meet my cousin, Bellatrix Black," He completely ignored her actual last name.

Bellatrix had looked at each of their faces with a look that usually made the toughest of men cower.

The rest of the evening had passed without much event. She had talked to each of them separately at different points. She disliked Peter and his whimpering, nervous ways immediately. He seemed to religiously follow James and Sirius around and tried a lot to impress. She found him an entertaining subject to make fun of and scare and more than once, Sirius had pleaded with his eyes to stop.

She found it very difficult to dislike James, even being a Gryffindor and as rumour had it, quite the little blood traitor. He was a bit of a twisted genius, himself and had a wicked sense of humour. She could already see he was strong, magically and as she listened to their different stories, she found herself thinking of how much of an asset he would be to the cause. On top of that, he was another pureblood lord. The might of the Potter family could give them a lot of strength, in a lot of ways.

She had earlier decided to inspect him only to find a way to break him or distance Sirius from him. But James was very likable. He was immodest and devious and passionate at the same time, all qualities she liked. He was thirteen. Maybe the values he had unwittingly picked up from his stupid father can be changed. She planned on waiting and watching James Potter, letting things go naturally without disturbing.

And Remus, Oh Bella had been able to figure out quite a bit about Remus Lupin.

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Sirius was lost in thoughts about the night. It had been strange to see most of his family being civil towards his friends. He had once caught Orion and James, laughing in a corner, sharing a joke. He had always known his father was more easy-going than his mother, but he seemed to genuinely like his nemesis's son, which was strange. His mom had kept giving them evil glances throughout the night but he didn't care; they had all had fun with Bellatrix with her anecdotes of how she tortured her husband. Any topic which had the potential of making either party uncomfortable including Muggleborns and Dark Arts were avoided, for which he was glad. He was still suspicious about the motives behind this night, though now it was obvious that it was Bella's idea. He wondered whether Bella was planning something. He had told her about the abduction, but predictably enough, her face betrayed no emotion and she didn't confess about the rescue.

"Aren't you curious about what I think of your friends?" She broke the silence in a sly tone.

"Not particularly," Sirius lied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh alright, I'd just keep it to myself then," Bella deadpanned.

"Oh just shut up and tell me," said Sirius, exasperated.

"Are you sure, coz, because if you don't want to know…"

"I want to know, okay? Just tell me,"

"Alright," Bella smirked. "If you are begging, then me being the benevolent cousin that I am, shall oblige. Potter wasn't like I expected. He is not as much of a lion as I would have thought. There is a little bit of an eagle and a snake in him, as well, that's struggling. I'm curious to see how he will turn out to be,"

Sirius looked at her skeptically but didn't say anything.

"Be careful about Peter. I doubt he is the loyal friend you think he is,"

"Pete's a bit fidgety but he's alright," said Sirius loyally.

Bella shrugged. "I hope your trust won't be your downfall, Snuffles. You shouldn't trust anyone beyond my reason. Ultimately it's very stupid to trust anyone but yourself,"

"I can't think like you do, Bella. My friends are as open as books, They won't betray me, ever," said Sirius, turning the other way this time.

Anger flashed in Bella's eyes. She got up to her feet and kept her glass on the table. "You are too naïve Sirius. Too much lion in your system than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. You think your friends are open as a book, do you? You can't even smell out a little werewolf within your own midst!"

"What?" Sirius gaped. "What are you talking about?"

"That's right, hot shot," Bella said smugly. "Remus Lupin is a werewolf,"

"No way," Sirius said, mouth still wide open.

"I can see from your face that you don't really believe what you are saying. You've suspected it too haven't you?" Bella said curiously, now.

Sirius didn't say anything but his silence spoke volumes.

"Then I must be right and his monthly disappearance must coincide with the moon cycle. Did you notice how weary he looks this close to the full moon? You've told me about the gashes on him that seems like claw marks. "Bella said, looking intently at Sirius who seemed to still be a loss for words.

"I suspected halfway through, you know. I've been around a lot of werewolves. I wanted proof though. That's why I got Kreacher to cook some meat for me, but leave it half cooked and I brought it out in front of him and ate it. Disgusting as it was, it was worth it. This close to the full moon, his wolfish side is coming out and he practically drooled at the meat. " said Bella, an element of delight in her voice.

"So, he likes his meat half cooked and he has a couple of claw marks. He has a sick mom, an unruly dog in the house and an odd taste preference, big deal." Sirius said nonchalantly but his face was pale.

"All very convenient but I did do another little test as well. I got Kreacher to cut himself in the next room as I watched your little friend. He smelt the blood, Sirius. He got all riled up and started looking everywhere. It's your choice to admit it or not, but you and I both know it, Remus Lupin is a werewolf," said Bella, her lips curled in a smirk. She had really had enough of her cousin being so blind.

Sirius sighed in defeat. "It doesn't matter," He said coldly. "He is still Remus,"

"A half breed according to most of the wizarding population; one that most would have burnt at a silver stake," said Bella shrugging. "Whatever Sirius, I don't really care about your ethical stand on this. Believe me, I have no problem with werewolves; they are more useful than most wizards. My point is you don't know your friends as much as you would believe. One of them for sure, does have a huge part of their life, that's been hidden well from you. Your family on the other hand, whatever we are, good, bad, ugly it's transparent and in front of you. Maybe that will help you resort your little trust issues,"

She watched as her cousin bury his face in his hands. She felt a twinge of sympathy for the boy, but she had to make him strong, to make him get his priorities straight and soon, before other forces got involved.

With a small smirk at a night gone successfully, Bella ruffled Sirius's hair and said, "Goodnight Snuffles,' and walked away.

A/N: Apologies for the late chapter. Apologies for a relatively crappy chapter after the wait. Bound to have some problems with grammar and structure as I didn't give it a once over in the haste to upload.