The Disgraced of the House of Black - A Multi-Character Fanfiction - Part One

89. Prior Attachments

When Althea had sat down on the blankets with Sirius and Amara, Sirius drew in a long breath before he began.

"My parents and I didn't get along well when I was a teenager. Well, really, we never did," Sirius admitted. "They thought that the best way to ensure I didn't embarrass them would be to ensnare me in something I couldn't really escape from."

.

January 1995

Sirius was lounging in the Common Room, his black hair falling in its usual stylishly messy wave as he listened to Peter's usual squeaking.

"Hey, Sirius," James called, rushing into the room and completely cutting off whatever Peter was rambling about.

"What's up?" Sirius asked, glad of the distraction.

He had been growing tired of Peter. James said nothing else as he approached. Sirius leaned back his head, pretending he didn't see the way Maria Thumberson was admiring his hair.

"Letter came for you," James explained, tossing it over to him. "Well, your parents sent it to me because apparently-" Here James took on a very amused expression "-none of your mother's letters have been reaching you."

"How very strange," Sirius said with a smile. Clearing his throat, he asked, "So, what is it this time? Did McGonagal write home about the Snivelus debacle?"

"Not sure," James replied airily, looking over Sirius' shoulder.

Turning his head, Sirius was unsurprised to see Lily Evans coming down the stairs, smiling and laughing with her usual gaggle of friends.

"James," Sirius said irritably, snapping his fingers in his face.

"What? Oh, yeah," James said quickly. "I didn't read beyond the explanation."

"Hm," Sirius said disinterestedly.

"Apparently she's tried to reach you ten times," James added with an amused smirk.

"Maybe you should just read it, Sirius," Remus suggested.

Sirius looked over, attempting to hide his confusion about when he had appeared.

"Maybe," Sirius replied, finally giving the letter a glance.

Sitting up, he sighed, unfolding the parchment and beginning to read. He blinked, reading the first line a second time in disbelief.

"You've got to be kidding me," Sirius muttered, sitting up the rest of the way and leaning against his knees as though to see the letter better.

"What is it?" James asked curiously, attempting to read over his shoulder.

Before he could read a word, however, Sirius was on his feet and had disappeared out of the portrait hole. James sighed, sitting back.

"Aren't you going to go after him?" Remus asked in surprise.

"No, not yet," James replied warily. "Sirius gets pretty bent out of shape when it comes to his parents. Best to let him cool off a little."

As James had been speaking, however, the portrait hole had opened again. When James glanced back at Lily Evans, she was frowning, glancing in the direction Sirius had disappeared in.

.

October 1994

"What was in the letter?" Althea asked, leaning forward curiously.

"I'm getting there," Sirius said with a grim look. "Be patient."

.

January 1995

Sirius had dashed into the first empty classroom he found, crumpling the letter in his fist as he ran. How could she? Sirius could not fathom his mother's actions. He had been living with her constant scrutiny for fourteen years and yet now...now she had made it so much worse. Collapsing against the wall, he slid down to the floor, running a shaking hand through his hair. He couldn't ever remember feeling so angry in his life.

"Sirius?" a tentative voice said from the door.

He had hidden in the Transfiguration classroom, an odd choice, he later realized, as the classroom generally caused him far more stress than any other. Looking toward the door, he was surprised to see his cousin, Eliana. He had seen her once or twice, but she and her father spent little time over at Grimmauld Place, preferring to live by themselves in their small country home, away from the rest of the Black family.

Eliana's mother died only a few months after she was born, but in some ways, that event changed both Alphard and Eliana forever. They had only each other left, and as life had already taught them, even that could be gone in an instant. Sirius liked Eliana, but he hadn't spoken to her since they were children.

"What do you want?" he retorted snappishly.

"Are you okay?" she asked, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "You just...you seem like something's wrong."

"Of course, something's bloody wrong," he snapped, tossing the crumpled letter from his hand as though the parchment burned him. Childishly kicking it away, Sirius let out a sigh as Eliana sat beside him. "Does your dad constantly compare you to other people?"

"No," Eliana replied softly. "Does yours?"

"No, but Mum does and he doesn't stop her. More than she breathes," Sirius replied bitterly. "If I have to hear one more time about Regulus' top marks, I may off myself."

"Well," Eliana remarked reasonably. "There is another option." Sirius looked up at her. "You won't be living in that house forever. You can always just stick it out the best you can and then cut them off once you're out of the house."  Taking on a suddenly mischievous smile, she added, "And maybe raise a little mayhem in the meantime."

Before he could catch himself, he began to smile, glancing over at her with a fond expression. Before it had been on his face long, however, his smile fell as his mind shifted to the last paragraph of the letter.

"No," he said finally. "Even that isn't enough."

"Why?" Eliana asked, her brows furrowed.

Sirius sighed. He couldn't believe these words were actually about to leave his mouth.

"As of yesterday, I'm engaged," he admitted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Without my consent."

"To who?" Eliana asked in shock.

"Oh, that's the best part," Sirius assured sarcastically. "A one-year-old named Lisette or Lyria or something Malfoy."

"She's one?" Eliana exclaimed in shock. "You've got to be joking."

"I wish I was," Sirius replied, pushing the letter toward her.

Uncrumpling it, Eliana began to read.

James Potter,
As I'm sure you must have witnessed by now, I have been attempting to communicate some very important information to my son, Sirius, and have so far been unsuccessful. If you would please pass on the remainder of this letter UNREAD.
Firstly, Sirius, I'm very disappointed in your childishness in regard to your schoolwork and the engagement. Regulus has already proven to be a much more adept student than yourself. If you are to amount to anything, I suggest you get your act together or face your father and I's severe displeasure. We will not tolerate your bringing any more shame upon our family name. Is that clear?
Now, on to the more important matter of business, your engagement has been finalized to Miss Lyralle Charlotte Malfoy. You shall marry her after she turns eighteen. You will be in your early thirties by then and hopefully will have gained some sense. If I hear anything about you dishonouring this engagement, it will be several very long summers locked in your room for you.
Walburga Black