Author's Note.
I am sorry this isn't for the late update and the fact that this is un-betaed. My beta is MIA right now so...let me know what you think? Also, not to be repetitive but I recently published a book titled "Diary of a Twenty-Something: A Collection of Teenage Musings." I would love it if you guys got the e-copy and left me your thoughts. Love you all!
"Yes, brother, Ravenclaw."
Sighing, I sit down on the floor next to my bothersome older brother.
My robe is going to be dusty and Kreacher will grumble for hours between apologizes.
The things I do for Sirius, honestly.
"But… you… Slytherin."
"I appear to have broken you, brother dearest. I will try to put it simply for you. Yes, I wanted to go into Slytherin. Yes, I love the notion of carrying the family legacy and joining our ancestors in the House of Salazar. Sirius! Please listen for once," I interrupt myself, a handheld out to stop Sirius from punching me.
Again.
"You just said Ravenclaw and now you are singing praises of the house that is the most prejudiced lot ever!"
"Sirius Orion Black! Aren't you meant to be a Gryffindor? Courteous? How can you judge an entire people on the actions of a few! Moreover, no, don't say that the 'few' are a majority, you know they are not! You do not know the situations there. For all we know, the students there might be in a situation where the Dark Lord is manipulating or cohering them! It is time you learn to listen, brother. About this Dark Lord, what everyone knows is that he is a powerful force. By judging people, all you are doing is giving him more fodder for his armies! Making him stronger! Therefore, unless you want to spend your adult years losing a war, you better start listening and making a change. We are living in a time of war, brother and it is high time you acknowledge that! Every day there are reports of acts of terror committed in the name of purity by these people. Honestly, listening to you, I don't even want to go to Hogwarts!"
Visions of cold hands and icy depths fly by me, as I stop my angry tirade to take a breath.
Only when I feel Sirius' hand rubbing my back do I realize I am shaking.
How unlike me to lose control like this! Utterly unbefitting of the Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.
"Regulus, just, just breathe. Focus on my voice. Oh Hestia, how did Evans do this? Yes, yes, breathe in, deep and then slowly let it out. Like this," Sirius says while demonstrating breathing in the most exaggerated manner I have ever seen.
Looking up from my quivering hands, I cannot help the snort at his actions.
He looks hilarious!
However, muggle… technique did seem to help.
"Thank Godric. You are alright," he says, sitting back on his heels, a relieved and proud look on his face as if he just pulled off the biggest prank the world had ever seen.
He is like a smug kitten and isn't that ridiculous.
"Regulus, what is it? What is bothering you?"
The note of concern in his voice is terrifying.
He knows something has changed, and now he won't rest until I tell him what it is.
How did I forget that this is a Sirius who a few months ago knew me better than anyone? My best friend and my big brother rolled into one?
More importantly, how did we let the world and it's insignificant prejudices come between us?
"Reggie?"
Oh, Hestia, he is pulling that soft caring voice now.
How long has it been since I have heard that?
Pulling myself together with more effort than is worthy of a Slytherin, I smile at him.
He can't know, not yet.
Not when I haven't had the chance to examine all the variables.
He is young and hotheaded; he might just ruin it all.
No, no, I will tell him; of course, I will not repeat my past mistakes, but all in due time.
"Yes, brother?"
"Are you alright?"
Oh, that mule!
Can't he leave things be?
Of course not, this is Sirius.
"Yes, brother, I am alright. I have just had a change of ideology and that means a change in my thoughts," I say hoping the implied insult at his intelligence will distract him enough to not question me anymore.
It works like a charm and within moments, he is huffing his way out of the room, to prove his intelligence.
Disastrous as the event is sure to be, I let him leave. I need a moment to process the day and everything it has brought.
A major change, the first of hopefully many, has been made today.
My brother did not acquaint himself with that brutal spell and I managed to plant a small seed -no doubt one that will need unimaginable nourishment- in his head, and I have started to secure his already string loyalty to me even better. This time, a difference in colours and values won't be allowed to create a chasm between us.
However, there are many other things left to accomplish before the beginning of the school year. Bella's visit today was the start of a chain, one that was meant to subtly guide the new Black Heir -as no respectable pureblood House would have a brutish Gryffindor; even one whose redemption they were all hoping for; as their Heir- into the clutches of the Dark Lord.
Being a Ravenclaw… it would throw an obstacle in their plans.
While not as disreputable as Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, the circles from which the Dark Lord got his… recruits… would still think twice about a House where both heirs had veered from tradition and one was actively parading about half-breed rights and mudblood equality.
However, the Ravens did get enough respect in said circles that I wouldn't be completely out of the loop and would be able to see the changes my actions will be causing. It would also be emotionally easier on Father and Mother and is the most likely option to get me out of the direct recruitment that went about in the snake pit and yet not get burnt off like Sirius and Andy.
Andromeda, though, she would make a formidable ally. Might want to wait for her to settle into life with Tonks though, or else the girl might pull another disappearing act with her… companion.
Now onto the next step of the plan, subtly planting doubts in both Mother and Bella. This should be fun.