A/N: Revised as of 12/22/2013.

Year Two: The House of Black

It was the coldest night of the winter but that hadn't stopped Sirius Black who sat outside his window on the roof of the boys' second year dormitory. It had been three weeks since everyone came back from Christmas Break; and though Remus, Peter, and James seemed to be back in the groove of things, Sirius was still a bit distant and unhappy. As Remus and Peter feasted in the Hogwarts kitchen and James made his way to McGonagall's office to serve a well deserved detention, Sirius sat shivering and reminiscing on all that happened over the Break.

It would be Sirius' first time going back home with Regulus. Reg had just finished his first few months at Hogwarts as a Slytherin and though Sirius knew that they never had a close relationship, he was now positive that they never will. When Sirius came home this time last year as a Gryffindor, Regulus kept a distance in case of catching the "Gryffindor Disease". Unlike Sirius, Regulus had always been the good son never wanting to disappoint. And so as Regulus strutted to their parents and their mother kissed his cheek and their father patted his back, it was only Sirius who felt the pang of disappointment. Sirius wasn't jealous of the affection Reg would receive that Sirius never would again; he was too bothered by the fact of losing his only brother to the Dark Arts. Not one good wizard had ever belonged to the Slytherin house.

Sirius turned to face the boys' window as he heard someone come out behind him. The girl sat next to him as he turned away from her.

"Hey," she whispered lightly poking him.

"What do you want, Cara?" Sirius asked coldly.

"Well, first, I'd like you to lose your attitude," she said annoyed and grabbed his shoulder, "and second, I'd like you to look at me."

He shook her hand off and fixed her with a glare, "Happy?"

"Not particularly, no," she rolled her eyes, "but I'm clearly happier than you. So what's up?"

"What do you care?" Sirius snapped.

Cara clenched her teeth as her eyes sharpened, "I'm here because your mates are worried about you and apparently I'm the only one with the balls to ask what's wrong."

"Cara," he sighed, "please, just go."

"Sirius," she mocked, "no. The boys have let you mope around for three weeks and I'm ending it. So, please, make this easy and just tell me what's wrong. I'm not in the mood to pry."

"You wouldn't get it."

"Sirius Orion Black is known for a lot of things but being melodramatic and misunderstood is not in the description. So stop with the bloody excuses."

"Then stop with the interrogation," he glared at her and went to the window to go back in.

"Wait," she sighed from behind him, "you were here first so you can stay. Like I said I'm not in the mood to pry so I guess I'll leave."

She inched towards the window as Sirius sat back down. As she reached out to hitch up the window screen, Sirius grabbed her wrist releasing a set of sparks that only Cara felt. He wanted someone to talk to and Cara wanted to be that person. She smiled at herself. Sirius, catching the smile, released her and sighed. He didn't like talking about his problems but it's better to talk to someone he isn't as close to like Cara rather than James.

"You can stay just don't ask questions. Deal?"

Cara nodded and sat back down beside him. She studied Sirius' features as he thought quietly. For a boy soon to be thirteen, he was incredibly good looking. He had pale skin that glowed and long black hair that fell gracefully over his face. For being so young, he had a good amount of muscle that most likely came from Quidditch. Even though Cara was just a kid, she couldn't help but convince herself that there was something between the two of them; more than just their friendship. But then again, it could just be Cara's naïve mind making a bigger deal out of her crush than need be.

"It's my family," Sirius vented snapping Cara out of her thoughts, "they're part of this group; the Death Eaters."

"Lord Voldemort's group," Cara nodded.

Sirius raised an eyebrow in surprise, "how do you know about them?"

"I'm a pureblood. They tried recruiting my parents," she shrugged.

"And they said no?" he stared at her with a look that almost begged her to say that her parents were Death Eaters too and he wasn't alone.

"They said no," she agreed and though Sirius acted like it was a relief, his heart sank a bit.

Sirius let out a manically laugh, "Well my parents aren't like yours. In fact, they invited him for Christmas dinner along with all his ickle Death Eaters. Talk about your 'Happy Christmas'."

Cara stayed quiet and dropped her gaze to her hands unsure of what to say.

"You're not like them," she said squeezing her eyes shut.

"Do you really believe that? Or are you trying to convince yourself that? I mean I am a Black. We share the same name, the same blood!" he barked at her.

"Please," Cara begged bringing her eyes to meet his, "don't yell at me."

His eyes weren't full of the anger that his voice held. Instead those grey eyes were iced over with fright and sadness. And as Cara took in his emotions, she knew the memory of those eyes would haunt her.

"I'm sorry," he said softly dropping his gaze.

"S'okay," she squeezed his hand, "you can vent to me just don't yell at me."

He nodded and kept her hand in his, "Thanks."

As Sirius opened his mouth to tell her what happened that Christmas dinner, the memory flushed over him sending him back to that ghastly night.

Sirius was up in his room putting on his nicest dress robes. As he wrapped his tie around his neck, Regulus walked in.

"Need something?" Sirius asked.

Regulus looked very out of place in such a Gryffindor room.

"No," he said awkwardly, "Sirius, you do know who is coming, right?"

"Some prejudice douche bags," Sirius smiled.

Regulus let out an awkward and forced laugh.

Sirius eyed his brother taking note of his clammy hands, "I take it you know who the prejudice douche bags are, yes?"

Regulus nodded, "Purebloods."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Obviously."

"Former Slytherins," Reg continued.

"Who would have thought," Sirius feigned surprise.

"Death Eaters," Regulus choked out and sat on Sirius' bed.

"What are you on about?" Sirius watched his brother wring his hands.

"I think it's a meeting," Regulus dropped his gaze to the floor and became rigid, "for Death Eaters."

"Alright, well what makes you say that?" Sirius said taking a seat beside Reg.

"Avery. His parents are coming. And the Carrows are coming too. And that Antonin Dolohov, the seventh year, he'll be here, too."

"Well, No big deal. They're all pureblood Slytherins."

"Really? I hadn't noticed," Regulus rolled his eyes, "but they're all Death Eaters as well, Sirius."

"Antonin Dolohov is too young to be a Death Eater!" Sirius laughed, "what would the Dark Lord want with him?"

"I don't know, but he has the mark."

"What mark?"

"The skull thing with the snake coming out of its mouth!"

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows, "I have no idea what you are on about."

"For Merlin's sake, Sirius! It's on every Death Eaters left arm. Dad has one!" Regulus said annoyed at Sirius' lack of knowledge in the matter.

"What? You mean the creepy tattoo?"

Regulus nodded, "And I heard a rumor, too."

"Okay, well, what is it then?" Sirius pushed.

"The Dark Lord himself will be here."

[…..Hours Later…..]

The house elves hustled in the kitchen while the Blacks mingled with their guests. Sirius, however, avoided his brother being that Regulus was surrounded by a group of first year Slytherins. So, Sirius sat in a chair not too far from the front door where all the guests had Apparated outside of. Kreacher and Hennie, the newest house elves kept running from the kitchen to the door whenever the bell rang or a knock was heard.

A small knock sounded on the door and Kreacher had beaten Hennie to it. He quickly opened it and took a polite bow.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cygnus Black," he said, "and daughters."

They ignored him as they walked in. Cygnus walked straight to Sirius' father and whispered something in his ear. Druella, Cygnus' wife, ushered the daughters into the room Sirius was in and then quickly followed after her husband.

"Sirius," Narcissa said approaching him.

"Cissy," he nodded to his cousin.

"Sirius," Andromeda smiled.

"Andromeda," Sirius nodded to her as well.

Bellatrix gave him a sharp glare as a greeting.

"Bella," he smirked, "nice to see your smiling face."

"Don't call me that," she spat at him, "in fact don't talk to me at all."

"All your slimy Slytherin friends call you that," Sirius said innocently.

"Sod off," Bellatrix flicked her hair and joined Regulus and the first years.

"Anyway," Sirius turned to his other two cousins, "enjoying the school year so far?"

"Not so interesting so far," Andromeda shrugged.

"And you Narcissa?" Sirius asked politely.

"I guess it's been okay," Narcissa said bored.

"How is yours?" Andromeda asked.

Sirius smiled, "Very—"

A loud knock on the door interrupted Sirius. Hennie came running in giving Kreacher a good shove in the face. She opened the door and bowed.

"Mr. Abraxas Malfoy and son," Hennie squeaked.

They, too, ignored the elf and strutted in. Without needing to be told Lucius Malfoy made his way over to the younger crowd though looking displeased.

"Narcissa, Andromeda," Lucius drawled, "I'm sure I'd be much better company than this blood traitor."

Narcissa stood to join Lucius as if relieved where as Andromeda stayed seated ignoring his presence.

"Aren't you coming Andromeda?" Narcissa asked confused.

"No, Cissy, I'm not," Andromeda replied, "and do tell Lucius to get his wand out of his arse. It's unhealthy."

"Excuse me?" Lucius raised his eyebrow where as Sirius and Andromeda smirked.

"Sirius is a second year," Andromeda glared at Lucius, "He's still just a kid. He won't be a blood traitor until his dumb arse goes and marries a Muggle."

"Whatever you say, Andromeda," Lucius rolled his eyes and walked away with Narcissa by his side.

"Positively disgusting," Andromeda faked a gag, "I don't know why Cissy has such a crush on him!"

There was another knock at the door and Kreacher beat Hennie again. When he pulled open the door he looked up in awe and took his deepest bow where his nose actually scraped the floor.

"The Dark Lord," Kreacher said feeling not worth enough to even look at him.

Lord Voldemort did not ignore the elf like the other Purebloods. He gave him a nod and continued walking into the house. The entire room was silent as Voldemort approached the group of adults.

"Shall we eat?" he said to Sirius' mother Walburga.

"Right of course," Walburga said nodding.

[…forty five minutes later….]

Everyone sat at the table quietly finishing their meal. At one end sat Lord Voldemort; at the opposite sat Sirius' father, Orion. Sirius sat on the left middle between Andromeda and Regulus.

"That was delicious, Walburga," Voldemort started, "I think we should begin the meeting."

"Yes, of course, Master. You lot," she said to the children, "up stairs."

"One more thing, Walburga," Voldemort said politely, "I'd like to speak with your son, the Gryffindor."

Sirius tensed up as Regulus looked at him in alarm.

"Come here boy," Voldemort said once the other children left.

He pointed to a chair to his left that Sirius took.

"Strapping boy," Voldemort nodded to Sirius' parents.

"Thank you my Lord," Orion said awkwardly.

"What's your name boy?" Voldemort said.

"Sirius Orion Black," Sirius said still very tense.

"The family rebel, yeah?"

"I guess."

"You like Hogwarts, I assume."

"Yes."

"Good grades?"

"Yes."

"Good mates?"

Sirius nodded.

"Well, who do you keep in your company?"

"Gryffindors," Sirius said cautiously.

"What are their names?"

"Too many to name."

Voldemort chuckled, "Holding back are we?"

"The names, Sirius," Orion warned.

"Come now, Orion. It's alright that Sirius shows some loyalty. It's an admirable quality," he smiled,"So what year are you?"

"Second," Sirius replied.

"Potter's boy is in second year, correct?" Voldemort asked the adults.

"Yes my Lord," Abraxas spoke.

"So, you're mates with him, Sirius?"

"That's possible."

"You know, Sirius, his father refused to meet with me."

"I can't imagine why," Sirius' voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Alright, Sirius, I think I'm done with you for now. I can see you don't like my company very much," Voldemort smiled gesturing for Sirius to stand, "I do hope the next time we meet that your views on me have changed."

Sirius nodded as he walked out but he couldn't help but here Voldemort whisper to his parents, "Keep him. He could be quite useful to us."

Sirius ended the story letting out a shakey breath.

Cara touched his shivering hand, "Is that what scares you?"

"What do you mean?" Sirius looked into Cara's deep blue eyes.

"That Voldemort will get to you. That he might change your views."

"No," Sirius shook his head, "I know my views won't change. And I know my family's views won't either. And I think a lot of the Purebloods are thinking like them. I think I'm scared that this might get out of hand. That the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters might retaliate."

"Like a wizarding war?" Cara asked.

"Exactly," Sirius nodded.

"Scary," Cara frowned.

"Right," Sirius said and squeezed her hand.