June 24, 1972 - Black Manor

Lucius Malfoy looked every bit the rich pureblood in the dark eggplant robes with intricate patterns he had donned. Severus had chosen to wear a simple midnight black robes that had once been Lucius's.

"So remember what I told you. Bow low to all the men and make sure you always address them Lord. Kiss the ladies knuckles. Make sure you talk with everyone and try to smile more." Lucius summarized his previous advice.

"I think I'll just stick behind you" Severus said in an apprehensive tone.

"There is nothing worse. Hang out with boys your own age. Look, there is Sierra Selwyn and Evan Rosier. Go hang out with them." Lucius said giving Severus a slight push.

"Lady Selwyn, you look only beautiful." Severus greeted Sierra.

"Sev, stop making me feel old." Sierra replied rolling her eyes.

"Do not dare bow to me. Lucius has been giving you too much training" Rosier added on.

"So how has your summer been?" Severus asked them both.

"This is the only exciting gossip event to hit the pureblood ladies in about three years." Sierra motioned towards the groups of beautifully gowned ladies as they chattered to each other excitedly.

"Ahh...I sympathize with the poor pureblood ladies." Severus stated sarcastically.

"Of course. So when can I expect an announcement from you two boys?" Sierra asked without missing a beat.

"Ladies first, so we will follow your lead my lady." Rosier replied.

"Sure...let's go entertain ourselves by saying hello to the handsome Black boys." Sierra grinned wickedly.

"They aren't handsome." Rosier stated in a jealous tone.

"You think Sirius is handsome?" Severus asked curiously.

"Why not? Don't you?" She questioned.

"Handsome?! More like a pain in the ass." Severus stated.

"That's called charm." Sirius replied approaching them.

"And speaking of the devil." Severus muttered.

"And I am the cute one with a brain." Regulus said with a pout.

"Hello Sirius." Sierra said pleasantly. "Hello cute one." She added with a wink, and Regulus grinned in response.

"Ah the ever beautiful Sierra, my swan. May I ask you for a dance so my mother doesn't beat me to pulp."

"Don't push it." Sierra warned Sirius as she turned towards his younger brother. "However, Reggie is another ticket."

Regulus smiled bashfully, taking her arm. "You are the first person who chose me over Sirius." Regulus muttered as he led her to the dance floor.

"Well, people should do it more often." Sierra told him.

"I feel insulted." Sirius muttered. "No matter, would any of you want to dance?"

"No thanks." the boys said in unison.

"Well, I see my wonderful company is not wanted. I'll go somewhere my charm is appreciated." Sirius said before turning away elegantly.

June 24, 1972

Sirius quickly walked away as he marveled over his luck. He'd never thought he'd get such a clean getaway. Perfect he grinned internally. He stopped in front of a door and knocked. "Andy? It's me." The door opened to reveal his cousin dressed in muggle clothing.

"Get in." She grabbed him and quickly shoved him into the room before closing the door and locking it, putting a chair below the doorknob. "This way, a simple unlocking spell can't get it open." she explained as her younger cousin looked at her oddly.

"Ah. So, how do plan on getting out?" Sirius questioned.

"Ted's waiting by the nearest muggle road in a car." Andy explained as she continued packing a trunk that Sirius hadn't noticed. "I'm going to escape, and then we'll get married at a muggle church in Wales." She ran a hand through her hair before placing her hands on her hips. "I'm not forgetting anything am I?" She chewed on her lip as she spun around the room, quickly assessing it.

"Andy...please leave the country. You know our insane family might come after you and I don't want you...to be hurt." Andy turned and smiled.

"I've lived with them for longer than you have Sirius, I'll know how to evade them. Plus, after a while, they'll forget. They always do." Andy replied knowingly.

"Yeah… but still." Sirius said. "I don't think Bella or Cissa will forget. They won't. Especially Bella."

"Bella stopped being my sister the day she attacked Hannah, and Cissa will understand when she grows up." Andy reasoned.

"I am coming with you." Sirius stubbornly stated. "I don't like the idea of you getting married without any family but merlin forbid I let you leave alone. I am going to have a few words with Ted before he drives off with you."

Andy sighed. There was no turning back Sirius when he set his mind to something. "What if they notice you missing?"

"I can handle it. I'll be fine." Sirius replied.

"Well of course you can handle it, you're a big boy after all." Andy and Sirius stopped cold as two familiar figures stepped into the room.

"I thought you said no one could open it." Sirius muttered.

"No, I said magic couldn't open it." Andy replied feinging a calm tone.

"Well, it doesn't matter." Regulus pointed out. "What do you think you're doing?" He turned to Andy his eyebrows furrowed. "Do you know what your brilliant plan would do to the reputation of our family?"

"They're not my family." Andy replied coldly. "And do you know how Lestrange will treat me when I am his wife?" Andy said spitting out the word wife.

"Did he hurt you?" Regulus asked, a protective edge to his voice.

"Of course he did. This is Rabastan we're talking about." Sierra stated matter-of-factly.

"I'll kill him." Reggie muttered.

"That's not the problem right now." Sierra said as she looked at Andy wickedly. "I want in."

"We don't need your help. Just keep your mouths shut." Andy answered.

"Well, my mouth could accidentally spill some important information if you don't throw me a bone."

"And I could accidentally smash your skull in if you do." Sirius replied calmly.

"Gryffindors always so brash." Sierra sighed.

"Slytherins always so slippery." Sirius retorted.

"Why don't I propose an upgrade to your plan: Sierra can take Andy's place using polyjuice and I can keep my mouth shut." Regulus proposed.

"And what will you do when your at the altar?" Andy asked Sierra.

"I won't be there." Sierra stated. "It'll only last an hour. If I take just the right amount, I can control how long I have to be you." Sierra explained.

"And where are we going to get polyjuice from?" Sirius asked.

"I have already got it." Regulus said pulling out a phial from his robes.

"You already knew?" Sirius asked quizzically.

"Well you aren't the world's best secret keeper brother. You are as easy to read as a book." Regulus grinned. "Honestly, you almost made it too easy."

"Yes, it's a miracle this plan got this far already." Sierra added. "Now do you agree or not?"

"If I say no, will you stop?" Andy asked.

"No." Sierra answered sweetly.

"Then, by all means, go ahead." Sirius muttered. "Risk your neck. It's not my grave your digging."

"No graves will have to be dug. I'm perfectly capable of acting for an hour." Sierra huffed. "It's so insulting when people underestimate your capabilities."

"Stop bickering and leave." Regulus commanded. "Otherwise Andy will miss her ride."

Andy quickly gave Reggie a hug who muttered "That Ted better take good care of you, and I want to meet him." and shook Sierra's hand. Andy quickly muttered a concealment charm over herself and Sirius as he cracked open the window.

"Bye." Sirius said. "I'll be back in an hour." He quickly pulled Regulus into a hug and gave Sierra a curt nod.

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid." Regulus said as he watched his brother head towards the window. Sirius turned and grinned.

"I can't promise you that. What is life without a little risk?" With that he climbed down after his cousin.

"That was reassuring." Regulus muttered.