A/N - Hey, I am actively looking for A beta though I don't not have one yet. I however wanted to upload these chapters on a rough schedule of at least once a week so here it is.

I want to send out a big thank you to all my readers and reviewers you all are amazing. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclamer - I shall never own Harry Potter. Sad.

Chapter 2:

Black Tea

June 22, 1968

Alice Gail Prewett

Alice Prewett let out a weighted sigh as she nodded to her elder cousin. At the moment the recently turned eleven year old was being berated by her eldest cousin Molly for having ripped her stalking at her knee while chasing Gideon and Fabian around the yard. Well technically she ripped her stalking by falling out of a tree but that was unnecessary information. But Alice wanted to ask her cousin what she was supposed to do seeing as neither Molly, Aunt Linda, or her mother wanted her help in the kitchen (not that she would be much help) and no one had appeared for tea yet. She also wanted to ask what happened to the fun Molly that would sneak her chocolate after she was told she wasn't allowed any.

She decided however that seeing as Molly had recently graduated from Hogwarts she must think herself very grown up.

Alice did not know about that. She however agreed to go and change her stockings anyways and marched up the stairs to do just that. She went first to her bedroom and changed from her ripped black stockings to a different pair starring her reflection in the mirror for a while after doing so. Alice did not think herself a beautiful girl. After all Narcissa Black was beautiful, with her blonde curly hair, petite frame and dark blue eyes, Narcissa was the conception of commercial beauty. However the thorn in the elephant's toe was that Narcissa knew it. Narcissa had always been made aware of the fact she was completely adorable and had the ability to become breathtakingly gorgeous. She even went as far as to flaunt it which made her seem much less desirable.

However Alice was mistaken in believing that she herself was not beautiful. Though it was true she was not the picture of conceptual beauty, as Narcissa Black was, she was slim for an almost twelve year old girl and though she was shorter than some she was not what one would call petite.

She also had thick hair which fell strait and was the one attribute that Alice loved. Even as a child Alice was born with a full head of hair that she had always taken pride in up keeping. She would comb it every single day multiple times a day because she loved how taking a brush to her hair felt. She always pulled it into odd braids and other up-dos. She brushed a lock of brown hair behind her ear and tried to smile at herself in the mirror.

It did not change anything.

Before sighing and patting her dress down. She left her room and went to go back down stairs. However when entering the hall she saw that her Father's study door was ever so slightly opened.

So of course she went to investigate. Opening the door wider she flinched at the small squeak the door made in protest. Merrick Prewett looked up from his papers to smile at his only daughter. His brown eyes glittered with pride, "Alice," He said with a soft smile. The girl blushed slightly and walked into the room.

"Papa," Alice said with a restricted tone. Her fingers picking at the edge of the yellow lace dress she wore.

"Is there something you wanted dear?" He asked setting his papers aside and patting his lap. Alice practically ran to his side and was lifted onto her father's desk to sit. Her tulle fanning around her black leggings her shoes were shined. Her yellow lace dress was pulled slightly up exposing her tulle as she sat cross her father's desk. She thought to ask if her father thought her to be beautiful, though she knew his answer would more than likely be yes. After all he was her father, and he was slightly biased.

"I... It was nothing Papa," She said becoming quite interested in her shoes she watched the shined surface as if she could herself with in it.

"I take it this is about your mother's tea this afternoon." He said and Alice looked up surprise etched across her features, in some ways it was she guessed. So she would just go along that thought process. So she nodded and looked back down at her shoes attempting to look sheepish.

"I am excited for the tea Papa; Mama is finishing up now, you know how much she hates help on these things and Molly and Auntie are down with her. I just wanted..." There was a call from down stairs for Alice and the girl just smiled.

"Never mind Papa, it wasn't important anyways. I better get down there before Mama sends Molly up looking for me. Love you Papa," She said leaning over to give her father a kiss on the cheek and then sliding off his lap with a sheepish smile.

Sirius Orion Black

"Are you not going to say goodbye to the boy Walburga?" Alphard asked with an irritated sigh. He had received the letter yesterday and responded when he was asked if he would take care of Sirius for the summer seeing as he had become used to watching Andromeda during some months when Cygnus and Druella had wanted to ship the girl off for being different than her prized sisters.

This of course had stopped the last summer before the girl went off to Hogwarts, this being the fifth summer since then. However, even at age sixteen Andromeda always wrote to her favorite Uncle Alphard at least once a month and told him of her grand Hogwarts adventures. These letters always centered especially her tutelage and friendship, though she never used that second word, a muggleborn Hufflepuff Mr. Tonks, who with every letter was called Theodore more and more.

He was glad she had found a friend in the boy despite the fact he had never met him. Andromeda was never like her sisters and he knew that Durella and Cygnus had impressed the ideals and told their middle daughter that if she did not learn how to become friends with the right she would be disowned. He knew because it was he who had held the ten year old girl and consoled her tears.

"Why would I? Regulus and I have things to do today I cannot be bothered with the other boy." Walburga said with a huff.

"That other boy is your eldest son. Your heir, Walburga you would do well to remember that."

"And you will do well to keep your nose from places it does not belong. If that boy does not learn how to act he shall never be fit for the title Lord Black. And as you know those who are not fit to the title receive it." With those words came a silent threat. A threat more powerful than Cygnus or Durella could give about their middle child. And on that note Walburga flooded back home leaving and agitated Alphard and an upset Sirius who from his perch at the top of the stairs looks down to the drawing room where he had heard the entire exchange.

"Sirius, I know you are there, please come down and we will have some tea." Alphard suggested hoping the boy would come from his perch; while doing so Alphard himself moved to the patio where he always took his afternoon cuppa.

Sirius followed dutifully tough he seemed as if he were trying to stop himself from showing the fact he was sad. However he was not as good as it as others had been before him. Though fairly refined and straight faced to the rest of the word anyone that was raised 'well' and he used that term loosely, could read the boy's face easily. Walburga who was known for her indifferent mask probably did not like the child for this reason among others.

"Sit boy, come along, sit down no need to just stand there. It is almost four o'clock and like any British man I like my tea at a timely manner." Alphard said with a wave of his arm. Sirius sat down and folded his hands in his lap. Uncle Alphard's house elf Blink made Alphard's tea and then turned to Sirius to ask what he would like, Sirius glanced up at his Uncle wondering if like at home he should say Black Tea. He figured not to push it.

"Black please," He said in the strongest voice he could muster at the moment. Did his mother really hate him that much not to even say goodbye.

"Wait Blinky, Sirius, have you ever had Cream tea?" Alphard asked and Sirius shook his head slightly. As he expected when Andromeda came she had never had any either. It was a sweet tea that was used with in the Black family as a reward for a long time. When a child behaved appropriately they were given Cream tea at tea time for a reward. Within his eight years of life he was sure Sirius had done something to deserve a cream tea, more than one thing most likely. However he could not change his sister so he decided he would just make up for it.

"As I thought, Blinky, Sirius shall have cream tea not Black." Alphard began and Sirius' eyes jumped to his Uncle in surprise. "Every day we have afternoon tea he will be served cream tea and for evening tea it shall have two spoonful of sugar." He said with a nod.

"Also bring some of those buns you made this morning. I am sure Sirius will enjoy one, right boy." Alphard said with a stern tone and a wave of his hand shooting his house elf away. Blinky seemed more than happy to do as her master wish however, she was even smiling. An expression Sirius had never seen on a house elf, as she brought back out the tea and biscuits serving both men and popping away with a smile.

"Sirius, I am aware you just arrived but I feel some ground rules must be placed. First tea is at four every day. I expect you washed and out here every day at four no exceptions. Secondly you may explore the land only if you keep this watch on you. It has a tracking charm so I shall know where you are if the need arises, that condition is non-negotiable. Thirdly I have some business that I shall need to attend to periodically throughout the summer. You do not have to accompany me but you are welcome to if you wish. If you do not wish however Blinky shall watch you here, I expect you to treat her with the respect of your care giver at that time. Merlin knows that elf has kept me alive these past few years I trust her to keep you safe over these few months. Oh and tea will still be at four, even if I am unable to attend you shall be expected to. Lastly if you wish to fly the new Clean-Sweep that is in your room you shall do so in front of the tree line and below the tree tops as well. No matter how good you think you are at handling a broom it is a different story when in the midst of trees. We are far away from any muggles but it is better to be safe than sorry. Understood Sirius?" He asked knowing that the last rule was lost on the boy.

"You bought me a broom?" He asked with wide eyes.

"Yes Sirius, I ordered it this morning express from Diagon alley. I suspect it should be up in your room now. You will be able to see it and to fly after tea." He told the boy who just nodded.

"Can you repeat the flying rules," Alphard asking expecting the boy to fall short.

"In front of the tree lines under the trees for safety and muggle reasons, can I really fly after tea?" Alphard looked up with a soft smile.

"Yes Sirius, for a little while at least. I have been told by Andromeda that you also enjoy chess. So I figured tonight we shall play after supper this evening. Which is at seven, I also expect you there in a timely manner." Alphard added having forgotten about dinner in his earlier rules.

"Alright what about lunch and breakfast" Sirius inquired, these rules where so much better than his Parents; he would be sure to follow every single one.

"Lunch is at noon, and breakfast is whenever you wake up before then of course. Most of my appointments are morning ones so you shall eat breakfast in the kitchens. Dinner and lunch of course in the dining hall which I shall show you later, unless it is a day where we decide to eat lunch out on the green;" Alphard said with a grin.

"Yes Uncle Alphard," Sirius nodded as he began to slurp his tea as so many young children do.

"Sip, don't slurp Sirius," Alphard reminded the boy in a stern yet caring tone. Sirius nodded and did as asked. Though his Uncle could tell the boys patience was wearing thin.

"I take it tea no longer interests you boy," Alphard said with a slight grin Sirius looked up as if expecting there to be an edge to the man's tone.

"Expected, seeing as I told you of your present. Go and retrieve it, but when you come back we shall finish our tea Sirius Orion." Alphard said that last point with a slight edge Sirius jumped out of his seat and was gone before he said anything however. A few seconds later the boy came back with a sheepish grin.

"Ummmm..." Sirius said ringing his hands together.

"Speak in words boy," Alphard said turning to face his nephew.

"Where is my room Uncle Alphard?" He asked with a soft blush.

"Second floor first door to the front, Go along now." Sirius ran away quickly up the stairs to the second landing first floor. The stairs did not go up any longer; he found stairs near another door however so he ran up those as well. He stopped to look around once more finding the door that was slightly ajar with his things inside. He through open the door and found his new broom and grabbed it, only slightly noting the red draping and Quidditch players zooming around his walls. He was halfway down the stairs before he ran back up into the room to get a better look at it.

The draping and comforter were both red with gold trimmings; his favorite colors even though his mother would kill him for saying so. The Wimbourne Wasps shown proudly on the walls zooming around in what looked the like the formations they had described in the team's last game. He had heard it on the wireless from outside his father's study door. The Wasps were playing their rivals the Appleby Arrows, his father's favorite team although they were not very good in Sirius' opinion. They had lost to the Wasps since he could remember.

He heard his Uncle call him from downstairs. He tightened his hand on his broom and ran down to tea once again his energy higher than he usually allowed himself too when talking to adults. Childish energy was usually frowned upon in proper houses. But as an eight year old Sirius did not really matter as he burst through the doors.

"Uncle Alphard have you seen my room!" Sirius yelled running to the man and holding on to the edge of his chair. Pulling himself onto his toes in a way small children tend to do when excited.

"I have, I take it is acceptable then." Alphard said hiding his grin as he sipped his tea.

"It's wicked. Thank you!" Sirius lunged forward hugging the man tightly. Alphard stiffened momentarily before patting his nephew lightly on the back.

"I am glad you like it. Now shall we continue our tea?"

Marlene Mary- Anne McKinnon

Tea at the Prewett's seemed very boring, but seeing as Peter had gotten sick with Dragon Pox Marlene doubted she would have more fun at home. Unlike when she went to tea usually the children were not only at a separate table from the adults but they were also outside. Small tables littered the garden for the children to make sure they could converse on a much more personal level. Marlene was used to large tables running parallel to the adults were the children conducted themselves in the same way as the adults.

These children, though conducting themselves in a similar manner to the adults inside were very much children. Especially in their pettiness a trait that Marlene ever thought to be in high demand in pureblood society. Never the less however there were a group of girls and one young boy, all sporting some version of the color green trotting around in a manner that could only be thought as petty. They were even being rude to the hostess picking on the girl for little things such as dress color. Marlene was never one to watch and so she felt it prudent to step in.

"What is so great about green anyways?" Marlene said after succeeding in biting her tongue all of five minutes.

"Stay out of it McKinnon; I am surprised you know anything with your half-blood tutor. Mrs. Pettigrew is it; both parents were raised muggles though so she is as good as a mudblood in most circles. Isn't her son a squib as well?" The youngest grinned as did the oldest. She seemed the most terrifying of the trio with her thick black curls and the insanity hidden behind her eyes.

"Peter is not a squib, and do not talk about Mrs. Pettigrew, you know nothing about her," Marlene defended her point by crossing her arms. Mrs. Pettigrew was her greatest confidant, her substitute mother figure. No one would ever talk bad about her if Marlene had any say. And Peter might as well be her big brother. No one made fun of him either, other than Marlene and James that is but that was all in good fun and Peter knew that. This girl had no reason to talk bad about either of them.

The group that looked on had grown quite considerably; almost all of the girls who had attended the tea had come to watch.

"Defending the lower classes, my how the McKinnon's have fallen." The youngest and only boy, though he looked about Marlene's age, sighed.

"At least she is wearing an acceptable color." the middle girl murmured under her breath. The word acceptable said with a bit more venom than the other two did. Marlene blushed, she was dawning her latest dress robes sent from her father. They were in green as always and Marlene personally hated them. Green was a ghastly color in the girl's opinion. But Mrs. Pettigrew had insisted so here she was in her green dress hoping no one would point it out. She went to defend her clothing when she heard a second voice.

"What makes green more acceptable than yellow, green is a mixture of blue and yellow which means that yellow should be more acceptable if anything." A dazing girl said with a high dreamy type voice.

"Who asked you Safiq, You are just a freak." The youngest one chirped.

"Don't insult her she did nothing to you." Marlene quipped back at the elder girl.

"Why you little ungrateful blood-traitor," The girl began but did not get much farther than that.

"How am I a blood traitor, because I don't agree with making fun of others because of clothing choices?" Marlene countered her voice now louder and slightly more dangerous. This was a rare tone for the small girl dealing with anyone other than James. This was her serious tone. Better known as the, you better back off if you know what's good for you, tone.

"It is a childish and petty thing to do anyways. I thought you knew better than that Bellatrix." The hostess' daughter said and Marlene turned to look at the girl for the first time. She really had not been paying the girl much mind before. After all Marlene just did not like bullies she did not care whom the bully picked on.

"How dare you Prewett," A growl from the oldest came as she pulled out a wand to point at the girl.

"I'd put that wand away Bella, Mrs. Prewett is coming outside." The middle girl said again. She had the girl who a lighter shade of hair than Bella but looked very similar to her in most other ways.

"Is everything alright out here girls?" Mrs. Lyra Prewett asked as she walked over to them. At the presence of the adult all of the smaller children who had spoken out fell behind her. Marlene caught the eye of the girl who had been being teased and sent a shy smile which the girl returned with a mouthed 'thank you'. Marlene just nodded once again with a soundless 'you're welcome'. The conversation that fluttered around them fell on to deaf ears as neither took any notice of it. As tea commenced the eleven year old and seven year old gravitated toward each other as they helped each other, the small girl who had also stood up falling back into the background with a dreamy look in her eye.

The tea was almost over before Marlene thought to mention the behavior to her older companion. Alice looked at the girl who she had forgotten about until Marlene mentioned.

"Sonya Safiq, a bit weird but very nice;" Marlene looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow. "Or at least she was the two or three times I talked to her." Alice added and Marlene sent back a curt nod.

"She seems a bit out there." Marlene commented watching as the girl was completely content in her own little reality. Marlene had never seen her at a tea before, then and again she never saw Alice Prewett before either.

"Oh she is a bit, different; her mother personally can't stand it. I have heard her call Sonya disturbed. I don't think she is though she is just..." Alice stopped watching the girl once again before nodding and turning back to continue whispering to her newest friend. "Well I guess I will go with different." She said with a nod.

"I think we should ask her if she wants to sit with us," Marlene said moving to her feet. Alice reached over to grab the girls sleeve and stop her Marlene however was already on her feet and walking over to the other girl with a plastered smile on her face.

She came back to the table a few minutes later leading Sonya long behind her hand grasped in hand. Marlene's determined face contrasted Sonya's dreamy look so perfectly. Alice snorted slightly and then scrunched her face up before letting out a cough.

"Hello Alice," The girl said in her light airy high pitched voice that Alice only barely made out from the noise around her.

"Hi Sonya, how are you?" She asked back and the blond finally made eye contact with her, the light green color shining in the light. Alice stared transfixed for a moment at the shimmering light they reflected. She snapped out of it after Marlene elbowed her in the ribs.

"Very good" Sonya said, "It has been a most quiet week. I have had very few issues with Wrackspurts recently and that is always good. I fear you may have one though Alice. Is your brain fuzzy?"

"What is a wrackspurt?" Marlene asked not totally understanding the conversation.

"Oh they are funny little creatures. Quite invisible, they make your brain fuzzy." Marlene opened her mouth to inquire more not really sure she understood Alice kicked her leg under the table to shut her up however. The conversation moved from there and the three talked until Sonya had to leave. Marlene had floo called Mrs. Pettigrew and asked if she could stay and help clean up with her new friend Alice and the woman agreed.

So the two girls took to collecting the tea saucers and cups from outside, as the Prewett's had no house elves, they started from the farthest away and ended up closer to where they had ate. It wasn't until they reached the table they had taken their tea at that Marlene made a comment.

"Do you know what a Nargle is?" Alice looked up seeming a bit lost and then attributing the question to Sonya and smiled at her young friend.

"I told you Marlene, different."

June 26, 1968

Marlene Mary- Anne McKinnon

The tall grass parted, sticks cracked, twigs snapped, leaves crumbled, and water rushed down stream as the seven year old explored the forest. Peter was still not feeling well so Marlene had been sent out to the garden today. Not that she minded. She loved exploring, as Marlene trekked deeper and deeper into the part of the property that did not have a path she began to hum to herself.

The running water was knowledge that she could always find her way back to a part of the yard she was used to by following it.

She had been doing it for the better part of two years.

There was a voice in the distance, Marlene twisted and pushed her back against the bark of a tree not venturing a look to see what had spoken. She had not been walking for that long. She could not have reached the edge of the property already could she have.

"I think I am lost," A sigh sounded from the same voice that seemed much closer now. Marlene twisted slowly making sure to keep the majority of her body then peered out cautiously.

There was a boy on the other side of the river. Wearing what seemed to be dress pants rolled up just below his knees and a dress shirt rolled up to his elbows and a vest that was completely unbuttoned. He looked quite disheveled and admittedly quite lost.

He seemed to be like that bunny that Mrs. Pettigrew had read to Peter and Marlene about last night, Something that Marlene and Peter had demanded at age six after hearing much too much of Babbity Rabbity, This was about a girl named Alice in a wonderful placed with a wonderful name, Wonderland.

She only told part of the story she could remember and promised to get it next time they were in muggle London so she could read the rest of it to the children. Something Marlene was admittedly looking forward too. Peter had complained but his mother explained about the army of cards. Peter had stopped then, wanting to know a bit more about that subject in particular. It was also decided Peter would choose the next muggle story they read.

Anyways, none of that mattered, for at the moment her thoughts were more focused on the boy and the wonder of when he would start declaring he was late so she could follow him into a rabbit hole and have her own adventures. After all she could not go to Hogwarts for four more years, stupid April birthdays, and there was precious little to explore on the property any longer. She had almost scoured it all in less than two years.

There however where two major flaws to her plan that she could see. And seeing as there were flaws she fixed them.

1. Her name was not Alice. (But she had a new friend named Alice and that had to count for something.)

2. It was a boy and not a rabbit. (But Mr. Potter once had told her all boys are animals so why couldn't she choose what kind of animal this boy was.)

She moved her feet slightly and a leaf crumpled under her black buckle shoes. She cursed herself silently. Stealth was the most important part of the hiding game. She knew that.

"Is someone there?" Came the next call and momentarily Marlene wondered if she should sneak up closer and scare the boy.

"Who's there, I'm not scared of you," the boy said tightened his stance and his eyes glance around Marlene wanted to laugh at that comment. She figured he probably was a bit scared. Then and again he probably thought the thing watching him was much more deadly that a seven year old girl in a brown smock and pigtails. Marlene chuckled softly deciding she wanted to play she grabbed the trees lowest branch, thankfully it was in reach, and climbed up the tree careful not to ruin her dress. Mrs. Pettigrew always got cross about that.

"Come out and show yourself" He said and Marlene let her mouth twitch into a smile. She tucked her dress under her her knees to make sure it did not fall showing the unknown boy her tights. She then swung down with a well-rehearsed.

"Garrrr!" The boy fell back with a yelp as Marlene scrambled back up to sit on the tree.

"You're, you're, and you're a girl." He said clearly he hadn't been expecting it, Marlene smiled to herself. She looked back down at the ground.

"Why yes, yes I am, and you are a boy." Marlene added the last part as an afterthought.

"Well yes," He said with an odd look in the small blonde's direction. Marlene just smiled.

"Glad we cleared that up!" She said swinging down so she now stood on the ground as well.

"So boy, do you have a name?" She asked with a bright smile.

"Sirius," He said and Marlene huffed.

"Yes, I am serious; it would be rude to not ask for your name." Marlene huffed but the boy just grinned.

"You're not Sirius, I am." The boy laughed inwardly. He had never been in the position to use any of the jokes he had created with his name before. And she seemed to like playing, so this was in a great position to have some fun in his opinion.

"I am too serious how would you know if I am joking," Marlene ordered with a huff making the game all that more enjoyable.

"We can't both be Sirius you know."

A/N - There is the second chapter, the third has a lot more of Sirius and Marlene interaction in it. Thanks to all my dear readers of the first chapter and of this one. I hope you enjoyed. There is a review button just below this I would love if you pressed, no pressure or anything.