A/N – THIS CAPTER WAS HORRIBLE TO WRITE. I started It before I even uploaded the last and only passed my word goal by like one word (with out authors notes). I had half a mind to give up and upload a short chapter (well a short chapter for me). But I did not fair reader. Do not fret. Anyways you know the drill, I do not own Harry Potter nor will I ever. Remus is in this briefly and his part is slightly disconnected. However, I needed the length and I missed writing Remus so there it is.

Minster Balls are no fun,

Siriusly.

December 31, 1968

Remus John Lupin

December 31, was undoubtedly the worst day of the year for Remus Lupin. It was the day when his parents tried to make him presentable. They did this for the sole reason he was expected at the ministry. Werewolves parading as humans were kept on tight leashes. Three times a year he went in for 'cataloging' like some trick monkey at a zoo. He hated it but It was the price to keep his parents happy so he went. He wouldn't have to deal with it much longer. Nine more years, 27 more visits and it would be over.

Because Remus Lupin knew for a fact at age seventeen he would stop parading as a lamb. At age seventeen he would join a pack. At age seventeen, maturity In a the wizarding world he would finally become what he was made when he was four. A dark creature.

However, John Lupin was happy watching his baby boy poked and prodded by ministry officials while they shied away from him like some type of feral monster. As if being bitten by Greybeck somehow made him Greybeck. Hope Lupin being muggle never accompanied them but hated the way her boys looked returning from the outing. John was happy for this though because he knew it would kill his wife to see how people reacted around Remus.

A small figure hit him and rebounded to fall quite ungraceful heap on the ground with a squeaked apology. As it stood Remus realized the figure was that of a petite girl. Her hair was a bright blonde hair in large loose curls, teased into a poof on the top with a white bow to match. She had a half smile on her face that Remus was familiar with. She seemed to be waiting for something but Remus didn't understand what. His Father elbowed him in the ribs and the message rang clear.

Act Human

"I am sorry." He said his voice starting out quite week and becoming stronger as it went.

"It's alright. I wasn't looking. I swore I saw some Nargles. They live in mistletoe you know." The girl said with a large smile as he looked on in surprise. "Oh forgive me, I am Sonya Solfiq." She said holding out her hand for him. The pale greenish silver robe she wore fluttered to her small wrist and Remus looked at her in surprise. Didn't she see he was a monster. Everyone else seemed to. Her eyebrows raised at him once again awaiting a reaction.

"R.. Remus, Remus Lupin." He said his voice still soft a weary.

"Remus was the name of one the Rome Bothers. Remus and Romulus." Sonya said with a bright smile. Distracting herself with mindless history facts and enjoying the numbing effect it had on her otherwise eccentric and active brain.

Remus raised and eyebrow at the girl. Knowing he would never get the chance to learn magic like he wanted. So, he spent little time furthering knowledge and more time wallowing in self pity. He was a smart boy he just found gathering knowledge useless when it would get him nowhere.

"They were found by a wolf." Sonya added much to the discomfort of Mr. Lupin and much to the interest of Remus.

"Did it bite them?" Remus asked.

"No it was just a wolf not a werewolf." The petite girl said shuttering at the horror stories she had been told about Greybeck to quench her thirst to spend time in the forest late at night. Remus looked down with a rejected sigh he hoped it was a werewolf.

"Well we best be going. Have a nice day dear." John said taking his sons shoulder and walking away. He to was dishearted at the girl's clear bigotry of werewolves.

Marlene Mary- Anne McKinnon

Almost two hours after meeting Remus, Marlene was quite at the end of her very small wick and if she did not blow some steam, or eat some food, soon she was going to lose it. So she frowned as she was congratulated once again. For what, she did not know. It is not like she did much. However, she took each well wishing comment with a smile. She had yet to peak with her father but she doubted she would before the night was over. An overwhelming feeling of betrayal was washing over her. Hours she never found her father because of his job in the Auror Corps. But now, now he took a job of Minister for Magic. Well more like campaigned. How had he done something so large, so life changing and not even consulted her. Mrs. Pettigrew explained that she was only a child, but Marlene still thought she deserved some answers. And she wanted them now. A mass of green robes approached and a snooty voice huffed from above.

"From mud…gle borns to blood traitors." The voice croaned and Marlene felt Mrs. Pettigrew's hand tighten on her shoulder.

"Lady Black," Marlene said curtsing slightly in the proper manner eyes trained forward on the black gaze of the hateful woman before her.

"At least you have some manners. A surprise with the governess you keep. Half-blood." The woman scoffed as Mrs Pettigrew bit back the reply at the blows to both herself and the now nine year old boy. Marlene caught the eye of Sirius standing behind his mother with a whispered sorry. She raised her eyebrows slightly then huffed out a breath in a physical expression of 'don't worry about it.'

"Que la moitié du sang en sait plus que vous." 'That half-blood knows more than you.' Marlene said and Mrs. Pettigrew tightened a hand on the girls shoulder as she bit back a laugh. Sirius raised an eyebrow in question with a slight smile. He may not have understood the comment but he knew it was less than flattering.

"French, a useless language." Mrs. Black said .

"My mother was French."

"My boy Regulus." Mr. Black said before his wife insulted the girl any farther. He may think very little of the McKinnon name but he did not question their power. Or the fact Mrs. McKinnon .She said introducing the younger boy. Marlene curtseyed as her hand was kissed.

"and the other one, Sirius" He added as Sirius did the same. His movements were constricted however as if it hurt move.

"Congratulations." Orion Black added pulling Sirius back with more force nessicary. Marlene growled in her throat. However, the hand on her shoulder stoped her and brought her attention to the matter at hand.

"Thank you." Marlene curtsied again.

"Yes congratulations." Mrs. Black added as her husband took her arm and lead her away.

"Merci," Marlene called after her as Mrs. Pettigrew's nails gripped slightly tighter. Sirius sent a smile at Marlene that didn't reach his eyes. As the family walked Marlene snapped to face Mrs. Pettigrew.

"They hurt him." Marlene said a bit louder than needed. Her arm was seized tightly by Mrs. Pettigrew who dragged her from the ballroom after a rough squeeze to stop the eight year -old as she tried to protest once again. She brought the small to a small bath room and checked for others. Once knowing it was empty she pulled her wand from her heeled boot and silenced the room before turning to set the fuming girl on the counter.

"Now Marlene we can't jump…." Mrs. Pettigrew said trying to calm the small girl down. Though in truth she was just as outraged. Having her husband die when Peter was but an infant, and knowing she would never fall in love again, she had accepted she would only ever have Peter. Then she was asked to teach Marlene and James. She happily did so as well a uproot herself in her son after Marlene's mother Sara had died. With that move Marlene became like a second child to her and over the past summer she had come to care for Sirius as well. James had a functional family so though she loved him. It was more teacherly than montherly.

This was a large reason Mrs. Pettigrew wished her son and charges would never reach Hogwarts age. That they would stay six, seven, eight, or nine forever. That they never would hear the name you-know who whispered when things went wrong in the world. However, Mrs. Pettigrew was far from stupid. She knew that the opposition was gaining power. She knew this war, which should have been handled by her father's generation, would likely meet its climax soon. She prayed every night that on her death bed she would be able to see her son, students, and any friends they had made. She prayed that they all had graying hair and grandchildren of their own. She prayed their eyes would be dimmed by age and knowledge not by war.

These were however empty prayers to a god she stopped believing in ages ago. It was childish sentiment, as pointless as wishing stars. But, she wished it none the less.

"THEY HURT HIM! I KNOW THEY DID!" Marlene yelled tears springing to blue eyes as water began to spirt from the two faucets and bubble in the toilet . Marlene's waterworks were almost always forced, Mrs. Pettigrew knew that. It was a system for the small girl to get attention from her father. Crying meant he stoped multitasking his time and paid attention to her. Mrs. Pettigrew had worked to rid her of the bad habit since the girl was four. Marlene's mother even before then, the thing that surprised Mrs. Pettigrew however was the external reaction.

Marlene had an unbeleviable control on her magical core for her age. She could already minupulate her magic wandlessly showing an affinity to simple charms. Her magic usually only became wild when she had nightmares and even then it was nothing compared to the fall-out of a James Potter accidental magic spurt. But the few time Mrs. Pettigrew had seen Marlene loose control while awake were not fun experiences and usually eneded with them standing in ankle high water.

"Marlene dear, listen," She said in a soft voice pulling the girl into her arms. Mrs. Pettigrew often hugged Marlene. The small girl sobbed into her shoulder.

"They hurt him. They're not 'posed to hurt him." Marlene's voice was much softer now and her breaths came out in uneven huffs.

"I know dear. I know." She whispered smoothing the hair on the very top of her head in what she hoped was a calming manner. The rag curls were pulled up and pinned spiratically around her head made it difficult to run her hands down her hair as she usually did.

It was twenty minutes, three freshening charms, and one pepper up potion later the two walked out of the room and was met by a concerned face. They walked back into the ballroom with heads held high. Everyone was still mingling as Mrs. Pettigrew ushered Marlene toward the thick of it once again.

"I'm Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy." A pompous blonde boy introduced with a snooty expression as he glared at Marlene from between his nose.

"Marlene McKinnon," Marlene said with her practiced curtsey. Mrs. Pettigrew slipped back slightly to allow the two space.

"I came to inquire If I may have the pleasure of a dance," He said his head still never declining to see her face. Marlene chuckled slightly much to the blonds discomfort.

"No one else is dancing." Marlene commented and the blonde boys had snapped to hers.

"The question itself implied a dance once the dancing had commenced." Lucius drawed and Marlene wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow before sighing.

"Um, Lucius I don't have any idea what you're talking about." Marlene admitted much to the chargin of Lucius and the entertainment of Mrs. Pettigrew who smartly hid her laugh with a hankercheif. Lucius huffed of with out explaining any farther. Marlene watched him walk away and shrugged.

"Marlene McKinnon." A males voice sounded. High pitched from the incenserity dripping off his tone. A larger young man with a bowler hat shook Marlene's hand spastically. "Cornelius Fudge but you already knew that." The man said. Marlene wanted to admit that she didn't know him but instead found herself nodding. A picture snaped making Marlene blink blindly. She felt a rough hand on her shoulder that tuggled her back against a muscular hip. Marlene was only barely able to control the yelp that escaped her throat.

"Minster McKinnon, congratulations. Terence Rothchild, Daily Prophet. Can I get a statement Minister," A small man with a self writing quill jumped up from a place Marlene could not see and began speaking.

"Not tonight Mr. Rothchild. A press conference is schedualed for tomorrow you shall get your statement there." Markus said with a tightening of his hand on Marlene's shoulder.

Markus McKinnon was a large burly man. He had spent his years after Hogwarts as an Auror he did this for nine years until a field scare almost took him from his wife and unborn child. He moved to a simple desk job at the ministry everyone was trying to make him move up from until Marlene's Mother died. He then began moving in the Minstry. It was a quick assent to hold the title of Minister but he had put in the hours.

He was a dark featured man with black hair and a pair of black eyes that unsettled best of men. His child was pointed and lined with stubble. He wore a set of black official robes and carried an undeniable air of power. His skin looked sunkissed, despite weeks spent indoors. In short, he looked nothing like his pale blue eyed daughter.

"From the girl then." He said and Markus made no protest. She spared a glance at her Father then sought out her governess. Mrs. Pettigrew smiled and signed the word glad. Marlene turned back, happy Mrs. Pettigrew and her came up with some signals for this stuff, she smiled up at the man.

"I'm happy for my Father," She said in the least rehearsed voice she could muster. Those in a close vicinity clapped for the exclamation of love. Marlene was the most happy about the reaction her Father who leaned down to kiss her head.

"Now, let us eat."

Alice Gail Prewett

Do you know those horrible moments when you wish somehow everything moral about you would disappear. When you curse your parents for raising a kind hearted child who cared about others. A time when all you want to do is be spiteful and spit out the worse string of words you can imagine. When in front of you is one who has done nothing but make your life miserable and all you want is to repay the favor. Those times that you dream of while crying into your pillow late at night. When you have the urge to kick someone when they're down. When you march to them with ill intent and open your mouth to find yourself loss for words. Then somehow words spill out that were the exact opposite of what you wanted. Well, Alice Prewett hated those times and she just happened to stumble into one on her way to the Hogwarts feast.

"Are you alright?" Were the words that spilt. The older girl whom Alice had stumbled across looked up after blowing her nose into her handkerchief. Gray eyes peered upward as the girl quickened to right herself.

"I'm fine." The older girl said with very little conviction. Alice huffed knowing that the girl was lying through her filed perfectly white teeth. "No your not ," Alice told her.

"If your not going to accept my answer why would you ask." The older girl grimaced.

"Why would you lie?" Alice countered.

"Why would I talk to you?" The girl snapped. "I am sorry Alice. You just wouldn't understand, You are lucky you know." The girl practically whispered before turning to take her leave. Alice frowned but then the reminder of the New Years feast made her forget he run in with the older student. After all, she had tried to help her. Alice couldn't think of anything else she should have done. Other than ask if he could get someone who maybe would 'understand'. Yet, as Alice happily ate the ham on her plate while listening to her cousins tales of Hogwarts years' past, She forgot all about the crying teenager.

Sirius Orion Black

The Minister's Ball was normally the bane of Sirius's year. He was forced into horrible ugly fluffy robes everyone assured him were the height of fashion. His hair was trimmed and combed so much he felt as I he was bald. His only joy coming from the fact Regulus, who loved everything their parents did, hated the robes as well. Normally things went fairly smoothly. He spent the few hours hidden away at the Longbottom's table near Frank and forgot about his parents for five minutes, if he was lucky. This year however: Frank was staying at Hogwarts, his robes were fluffier and uglier than ever, and his hair was ruined.

Chopped unevenly by the demon house elf Kreacher and glued to his head by his mother who yelled at him for his insolence due to the bad cut. Top it off with Regulus making an off comment to their Parents about how much he wrote his summer friends now. Summer friends, who Sirius was forced to admit, were considered blood traitors.

It goes without saying Orion was furious. His eldest was finally beginning to show his parents he was the Black they needed him to be, and then this happened. His son felt his fury In new ways. Just recently turning ten Orion felt his oldest boy should be disciplined the way he was as a child. For those who wonder, one should not ask Arcustus Black for ideas on appropriate child discipline. In truth one should not ask any Black, period, end point.

However, at the moment Sirius was not lamenting any prior mentioned hardships. No, instead he fumed at the idiots his age who twirled HIS Mary-Annie around. All of them with puffed out chests and parents who wiped smudges off their cheeks. None of them good enough for his Mary-Annie. Pushing his trectle tart around his plate he frowned at the back of Hector Goyle who had replaced Tristan Crabbe in herding Marlene around the dance floor as, Sirius guessed, one would herd a wild animal in to a pen.

If only he realized Marlene was having as much fun dancing as Sirius had watching.

Marlene Mary-Anne McKinnon

Twirl….. step…. One….. two… twirl…. Twirl… twirl.

Marlene felt a bit like she would hurl, hurl, hurl.

Despite his large feet, James never made Marlene feel so rag-dollish during their dance lessons. She felt like she was mopping the floor rather than gliding, and that was far from fun. Add the camreas and the fact a new partner was with her after every twirl that made for an irritated eight year old. The worst of the lot had to be her newest partner. Barty, as he introduced himself, had to be the largest prat this side of the galaxy. All he talked about was his fathers accomplishments and friendship with her father. Near the end of the dance he went as far to say he would not be surprised if a betrothal contract was drawn up between the two soon.

Marlene took a page from Jamie's book and stomped hard on the top of his foot with her shallow heel digging in for good measure. She was spun out and curtsied before clapping for the band as she was trained.

"Wouldn't hold my breath if I were you." Marlene whispered to the boy beside her before leaving the ballroom under the pretense of freshing up. She turned a corner and felt something grab her hand and tug her into what looked like a broom cuboard. She made a sqeak of protest before she saw exactly who captured her.

"Ryan," she sqealed hugging the boy around the neck.

"Annie," He whispered hugging back.

"That one is new, Mary-Annie to long now." Marlene asked with a playful grin. A shy look from the ten year old told her that she was right.

"I missed you." He said pulling her back into a hug.

"I wrote yesterday." Marlene reminded him relazing they had yet to step away from eachother they did that quickly.

"Letters are weak sentiment," Sirius grimaced.

"You sound like Malfoy." Marlene grinned and in retaliation Sirius tickled her side making her squeal and then try to hide the sound.

"Take it back Annie," He said as he began to tickle the girl.

"I take it back, I take it back." She said as Sirius stopped his attack. "You do not sound like Malfoy, Malfoy sounds like you." Marlene jibbed trying to get a rise that didn't come.

"That's right." Sirius strutted.

"I take it back." Marlene quickly said.

"Oi,"

"Your ego needs no more petting," She explained and Sirius whined like a wounded dog.

"What are you a dog?" Marlene said with a playful laugh. Sirius barked and push her playfully. However, he forgot how cramped the cupboard was and they both tumbled out of the cupboard and onto the floor. What could be a romantic moment between teenagers and adults was an awkward mess of limbs to the two children. Who found their current tangled situation to funny not to laugh, and in Sirius' case snort, at.

Regulus Arcustus Black

To sum up the feeling Regulus Black had seeing his brother and that 'blood-traitor' tumble out of the cupboard like a bunch of fools. What would Mother say, what would Father do? How was his brother so selfish to spend his time with the likes of that girl, even after he was specifically told to leave her alone. The incentive of not getting another beating should have been enough but clearly his brother had lost the majority of his brain cells over the last summer.

He then caught wind of stifled laughter and a snort coming from his brother. It was a sound that was Sirius usually hid for a rainy day when he and Regulus were stuck inside in their wing of the manor playing gobstones. It was saved for the times when Regulus got so scared he tumbled out of his chair. That laugh was his. His special part of his big brother no one else got and he did not want to share it with that 'blood-traitor.'

Regulus Black was never very good at sharing.

Sonya Odette Solfiq

"Hello Marlene," A high squeaky voice came from down the hall as Sirius helped her onto her feet. Marlene turned to wave hello to the most eccentric person she met over the summer. Though she had not written Sonya often, mostly because Marlene could not understand the other girl's letters, she completely confused on what a Nargle was, she liked the girl and concitered her a friend.

"Hi Sonya, I like your dress." Marlene said and it was quite true. Sonya's calf length light pink ruffled gown was, in her opinion, much prettier than her own bland and straight cut green and white one. Sonya also had on pretty pink shallow healed shoes rather than the 'proper' white buckled shoes Marlene wore.

"I like yours as well. Hello Sirius Black," The girl continued staring off as she often did and rocking slowly onto her toes.

"Hello Sonya," Sirius said with a bow kissing the smaller girls hand which made her giggle.

"You all have not been infected by nargles have you. I fear they may be hiding in the ballroom. After al none have been in any of the mistletoe I have come across." Sonya said with a hum of thought.

"Nargles," Sirius questioned.

"Don't ask, please, Don't ask." Marlene whispered back.

"Explain later," Sirius said.

"Don't worry I will. As soon as I understand it."

There it is, I am not totally in love with it, I imagined it being longer, but you get what you can. Did anyone guess the Minster McKinnon is a gap in cannon minsters between Leech and Bagnold and I originally planned on having Marlene thrown into public light reluctantly because of her father. That gap worked In my favor.

Please review if you can.