Chapter Text
Sirius woke up from his nap to the sound of his mother's screeching. It wasn't too unusual in the Black residence, but today it was especially fevered. Good.
"SIRIUS! It's five o'clock!" Walburga screamed, and fear shot through Sirius before he reminded himself that was exactly how she wanted him to react, and now that he was in the middle of his second year, he refused to take it anymore.
He swung out of bed and pulled on jeans and a red and gold striped sweater loaned from James. His mother might or might not set it on fire, but seeing her get angry was a bonus. James would forgive him.
Sirius' room, the only chamber he could stand in this godforsaken house, was bedecked in gaudy red and gold Christmas ornaments, much to his parents' lividity. A Gryffindor banner was stretched over his bed, his walls were plastered with posters of Muggle bands, and there was a stack of records in the corner, gifted from Andromeda, Peter, and Remus.
"SIRIUS BLACK!" his mother screeched again, and Sirius hurried downstairs, flipping the bird to the portraits of his rotten old ancestors. His new Doc Martens stomped on the centuries-old wood, a souvenir from the Marauders' expedition to a Muggle town close by Hogwarts one weekend (against the rules, of course).
"What are you wearing," his mother hissed once seeing his gear. "Go change into those chartreuse robes. The ones Regulus has a matching set of."
Sirius sucked on his teeth before answering. "No."
"Pardon?" Walburga turned to face him properly. "I will not have my son parading around in those awful Muggle clothing, especially in those colours. Go and change at once. I won't ask again."
Sirius steeled himself internally. "You won't have to, because I'm not changing."
Before he could even brace himself, a hard slap landed across his face. Cheek stinging, eyes watering, he continued to stare resolutely at his mother. "You insolent-"
Much to Sirius' relief, the doorbell clanged throughout the ancient bones of the house, and his mother rose to greet their guests, leaving Sirius behind. He got up and hurried after her, bumping into Regulus in the hall. His brother was obediently wearing the green dress robes Walburga had instructed, and Sirius wrinkled his nose. "Prick."
His little brother looked at him, slightly hurt, but before the conversation could continue, Orion Black caught sight of his sons. His jaw tightened at the sight of his eldest child, which sent a thrill of satisfaction through Sirius. His father didn't get angry easily, but he could tell his attire ticked the Black patriarch off royally.
Sirius' aunt Druella and uncle Cygnus had never liked him much, but then again, the feeling was entirely mutual. More interesting by far were the sight of his cousins.
Bellatrix was the eldest, with the family's dark, luscious hair. She wore hers long and curly and carried herself with a certain arrogance that came with being the eldest cousin, in her seventh year of Hogwarts.
Narcissa was next, her usually black and wavy hair charmed platinum blonde and ironed straight. Sirius had seen her with her boyfriend, the Malfoy bloke, and it was fairly obvious she was trying to resemble his family. She was only in the fifth year, but it seemed as though she would go on to wed him.
Sirius' favourite cousin was last. Andromeda stood out with naturally brown hair chopped short. She had an easy grin on her face as she caught his eye, and Sirius felt calmed by the thought that she would be there for the rest of the holidays. She was in the sixth year, but Sirius dreaded the time she would undoubtedly leave the Black family and forge her own way in the world. Perhaps he could convince her to take him in, though it seemed unlikely.
"Druella, Cygnus. How lovely to see you all," his mother said, kissing her brother and sister-in-law on the cheek in that fancy way Sirius had no desire to repeat. He was forced to, however, by his father's stern gaze.
After all the painful greetings had elapsed, the family moved into the dreary sitting room as the house-elves dragged the luggage inside the house. Orion took the best armchair, and the adults occupied the others, shooing the children out.
"What are you wearing, Sirius," Bellatrix admonished once they were out in the corridor. "Just because you're in - that house - doesn't mean that you have to advertise it all the time."
Sirius scowled. "In case you haven't noticed, this entire fucking house is drenched in green-"
"Scourgify," Bellatrix enunciated calmly, and Sirius immediately choked on suds pouring out of his mouth. "Watch your tongue in the presence of elders and betters, Sirius."
"Bella, stop it," Andromeda said sharply. "Just because you're of age now doesn't mean you can do whatever you like."
"Actually, it means I can do exactly as I like," Bellatrix countered, a sort of sharp-edged malice emitting from her, almost as if she was coming alive with the conflict. "What are you going to do about it?"
Andromeda stepped forward threateningly. "I'll-"
"Both of you, please stop," Narcissa broke in. "And Bella, you'd better lift the charm soon, because he's about to suffocate." Sirius was on his knees, struggling for breath.
"Finite," Bellatrix said lazily, waving her wand at her cousin, and Sirius immediately sagged, gasping for breath. "I hope that taught you a lesson."
Sirius opened his mouth, eager to retort, when Regulus cut him off, no doubt wanting to calm the waters. "Cissy, I like what you've done to your hair."
Narcissa smiled grimly. "Thanks, Regulus. My parents don't share your sentiment, unfortunately."
"That's because it looks cheap," Bellatrix interjected, leaning against the wall. "Your hair was so beautiful before. Changing it, altering it, seems artificial, like something Mudbloods would do to change their appearances."
Narcissa turned towards her sister, eyes flashing. "It does not look cheap."
Sirius found himself in the rare position of agreeing with his eldest cousin. "We all know you're doing it to impress your boyfriend, Cissy," he drawled, enjoying the reaction it pulled from her.
"Shut up," she hissed. "Lucius has nothing to do with this. I changed my hair out of my own free will, and I don't see what business it is of any of yours."
"Tell that to her," Sirius nodded at Bellatrix. "Interfering with my clothes."
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. "Your clothes are symbols of-"
"Let's do something else," Regulus interrupted quickly, before it could turn into an argument about beliefs, one that was certain to turn ugly very quickly. "How about you unpack? Sirius and I will show you to your rooms."
"You go," Sirius said, glaring at his cousins. "I'll stay here."
Not wanting any more conflict, Regulus left, his three cousins trailing him and house-elves struggling with the massive trunks the girls had brought.
Sirius meandered around, trying not to look too suspicious. When he was certain his cousins and brother were safely upstairs, he sidled up to the sitting room door and pressed his ear against the keyhole. There was a large chance he would be caught, but he didn't really care.
"...going to be an uprising," Uncle Cygnus' voice echoed. "My contacts in the Ministry are quite sure of it. This false tolerance the Minister is spreading, it only serves to divide wizards from what truly makes us ourselves - our blood. Mudbloods are merely here to infiltrate, to poison. When the time comes, we shall have to take the right side."
"Black is going to be a valuable name to have," Orion agreed, and Sirius heard some shuffling. "What is the plan for the Mudbloods, once the revolution takes place?"
"Extermination, I hope," Walburga's voice was far too gleeful.
"This is such a dreary topic," Sirius' aunt sighed, and he could imagine her twirling a tendril of her hair between her fingers, just like Bellatrix did. "Can we discuss something more cheerful, please? Walburga, how have you gotten along with Sirius' engagement?"
Sirius nearly fell over, but managed to keep himself upright. Engagement?
"I'm not so sure about that, Druella," Orion said. "He is only twelve. It seems a little young for engagement."
"But he is so - wilful," Walburga argued. "It is vital that we make a suitable match for him before he runs off and finds some - hick just to embarrass the family."
"We shall have to choose the right girl," Orion said, and though his voice was quiet, it put an end to that conversation. "Now, should we find the children? It is quite time for dinner."