November 3rd, 1970
Sirius Black’s eleventh birthday started out with a secret. Everyday Sirius is required to wake up at seven in the morning to be downstairs for breakfast at exactly 7:15. No excuses. But today, he was awoken at six.
“Siri! Siri!” The whispered tone along with the irritating poking in his face came from his baby brother. Emphasis on the baby part since Regulus was two years and three months younger than him. He opened his eyes to see little Reggie on his bed. This wasn’t an odd sight as Regulus frequently had nightmares that left Sirius quietly consoling his brother so they don’t wake their parents.
“Good morning Reg.” Sirius rubbed his eyes. He normally didn’t have a hard time waking up, but this was a whole hour earlier than his schedule planned for. He needed at least a few seconds to adjust.
“Happy birthday!” Regulus hugged him and he hugged back. Reggie was Sirius’s best friend. He didn’t need anyone but his little brother. “I got you a present!” Every year Regulus gives Sirius a poem and every year it is the best gift Sirius ever receives. Their parents don’t allow them to use their allowance for frugal things like gifts for each other. They already have everything they need and don’t need to waste their money on each other. He opens the card from Reggie.
Another year older,
Another year to do
I’m so glad I’m younger
Because I only know life with you
Happy Birthday to the greatest older Brother and friend.
Love Reggie
Sirius loved it. He had a poem from every year since Reggie learned how to write stashed under a loose floorboard in the middle of under his bed. He may get gifts from his parents and aunts and uncles every year, but these poems are his favourite. He knows how much work Reggie puts in to make them special and unique and that’s the best part.
“Thank you, Reg. I love it.” He smiled at his brother.
“Really?”
“Of course! I think this one is my new favourite too, although I do like the one for my ninth birthday. Or maybe last year’s Christmas.” He put his arm around Reg, who snuggled in comfortably. He may miss his one extra hour of sleep, but he does love his special time with Reg. Mum and Papa do not let them be so close when others are over because it’s bad for the their image which Sirius understands. They aren’t famous for being warm and welcoming after all.
They talked about the family party tonight, about what Sirius thinks he’ll get, and then of course
“You’ll be getting your letter today.” Regulus looked up at him with his matching gray eyes. Sirius wondered if he curled Reggies hair if they would be identical.
“I will, then I’ll get my own wand instead of using Great Grandfather Sirius’s.” In their family, they learn magic before going to school. In order to avoid the ministry’s tiresome snooping, they use the wands of their namesakes. This way there’s no underage magic charge and Sirius gets to learn full on spells and charms.
“Lucky. Great Uncle Regulus’s wand can barely even set a stick on fire.”
Sirius wasn’t about to tell him that maybe the wand wasn’t the problem. He was still young after all.
——
At seven ten they made their way downstairs. Mum and Papa do not eat breakfast or lunch with them. Papa is either in his study or in the ministry, and Mum is either doing family business or just not to be bothered. Their governess, Ida, was in the kitchen making breakfast and Kreacher was cleaning for the party tonight. Sirius and Regulus sat at their assigned spots at the table.
“Good morning boys.” Ida smiled. Ida has been their governess since Sirius was seven and if you ask him, he no longer needs one. Since he is eleven years old today, she should only get to tell Reg what to do since he is still eight and won’t be turning nine until February. Ida was nice, he supposes. She was lean and in her mid-twenties, but she does tell Mum everything he does. He knows he is a good kid, but he does act out occasionally. He just can’t help it. Mum and Papa just want Sirius to become a good person. When he strays from that path, it is their job as his parents to correct him. They only punish him out of love and some times he does deserve it. “And happy birthday Sirius.” She put their food on the table.
“Thank you.” Sirius made sure to speak before he started eating. Meals were always spent in quiet. If you started to speak during mealtime, then you may accidentally speak while you’re eating. And that would be so uncivilized and unmannered. He and Regulus ate peacefully, as did Ida as she joined them. Ida was a good chef, not as good as Kreacher, but still good.
Ida had cleared their plates in no time. The brothers sat patiently waiting for their assignments.
“Sirius, before I forget, the post arrived this morning.” Ida smiled as she handed him a letter on a silver plate. The letter.
Mr. S. Black
The Dining Table
12 Grimmuald Place, London
Sirius grinned wide. He flipped it over to see the Hogwarts official stamp. As careful as ever he opened the envelope to see his acceptance and his school supplies list.
“Is kreacher available?” Sirius asked.
“No, he is to not be disturbed all day in order to prepare the house for your celebration tonight.” Ida looked at both the boys. Neither of them really bothered Kreacher much unless they needed anything.
“Then you can give my letter to Mum.” He neatly put the papers back inside the envelope and handed it to her. He and Reggie were never, ever, allowed to bother Mum. Only Ida or Kreacher could. She took the letter gladly. Ida was a Ravenclaw if he remembers correctly. He supposes all the houses, except Gryffindor, were fine. But Slytherin was the best. All of his relatives have been Slytherins and the stories they’ve shared? The adventures they went on? That’s all Sirius wants. Besides, Slytherin was for the elite. The most sacred of families have been Slytherin and he had to be there. Not only did he belong to the most noble and ancient house, he was the heir. One day he would be Lord Black and in charge of everything. He had to be Slytherin. He had to do anything he could possibly do to make is parents proud.
“Of course. I’m sure we’ll be school supply shopping before you know it. Now, both of you to the nursery. Your tutors should be here soon.”
“We have lessons today?” Reggie asked. Sirius was curious too, they didn’t normally have lessons on birthdays or days with big events.
“Just until noon. Now that you’re starting school soon your parents want as much of an advance as possible. Then I want you both showered and dressed by four. I’ll make sure I have both of your robes pressed and ready before then.” She ushered them back up the stairs. That made sense. The Blacks have a history of knowing most of your first or second year of schooling before ever attending. Sirius hopes to make it to third year before learning anything new.
———
Dinner was perfect. Every year, Sirius has a birthday dinner with everyone in his family where they toast to the heir and the future of their house. This year was even greater since Sirius got his letter. Mum and Papa proudly boasted Sirius’s magic ability to the entire family. Uncles Cygnus and Alphard spent ages telling Sirius all the mischief he could get up to in the Slytherin common room. Aunt Lucretia shared stories of Papa at school, even Aunt Druella joined in! His cousins told him how they were so excited they could spend more time together since they’ll all be in the same house! He’s slightly disappointed that Andy, formally known as Andromeda, graduated this last year so they won’t be together. But at least Bella (Bellatrix) will be starting her seventh year and Cissy (Narcissa) is going into her fourth year. He’s never seen his grandparents in a better mood. Grandfather Arcturus didn’t criticize Grandfather Pollux’s financial choices and Grandmother Irma wasn’t judging Grandmother Melania. He couldn’t remember the last time the family was in such a good mood.
After an eventful dinner, the adults went to the foyer to drink leaving the kids alone. Andy stayed back with Reggie, but he, Bella, and Cissy went outside. The sun had gone down a long time ago, but a few years ago, Papa had enchanted the sky to remove the muggles air pollution so they could see stars. Their family loved stars. The first thing Sirius ever learned was astrology. How their names came from the stars because their ancestors were blessed from the most ancient magic itself. His family actually owned their stars too. It wasn’t just their name, it was their place in the sky.
“You’ll love it at school Siri. That whole castle bends to our will.” Bella was looking up at her star. She was in the Orion constellation, which technically Sirius was too since his middle name was Orion. The three of them were standing a few steps away from their front door, all looking up.
“What about friends?”
“Pandora will be your year too. Then in two years, Evan and Regulus will join you. Plus you’ll have this year with Bella and the next four years with me.” Cissy said. Sirius had completely forgotten about Pandora. She and Evan are Aunt Druella’s niece and nephew which sort of makes them family, but not fully enough for their invite to their family dinners.
“And you’ll get to meet Cissy’s little stalker.” Bella grinned. Bella was probably Sirius’s favourite cousin. They were both mischeivious with ‘broader personalities’ as Uncle Alphard always says.
“He’s not a stalker!” If they were able to blush, Cissy would be. Good thing that unflattering trait had been magically removed from their bloodline. “He’s just.. devoted.”
Bella laughed at that statement.
“You remember the Malfoy’s right Siri?” Bella started, Sirius nodded yes. “The son is obsessed with Narcissa. He follows her everywhere like a lost dog! It’s almost like he’s dying to get into this family.” She teased her younger sister.
“He is not just trying to get into this family. He’s.. sort of sweet when you get to know him.”
“Aren’t the Malfoy’s the one’s that made a big fool of themselves in front of my mother?” Sirius asked. Malfoy’s were very blonde and very… new money. They liked to parade it around like not even they are used to it. It was honestly slightly embarrassing.
“Yes.” Bella smirked. “There’s a few of those around Hogwarts too. Pureblood goons who think we are equals. It’s ok though, those people can be very useful.”
“I can’t wait to go on adventures everyday.” Sirius could almost feel the sparkle in his eyes. He could go explore the castle with Pandora, stop bullies with his cousins. He’ll barely even need to study making more time for him to practically concur the Slytherin house. It was part of his parents plan for him and he couldn’t mess it up. Even though he’s still slightly scared the mudbloods and halfbreeds might try to steal his magic like Mum says.
“You’re going to do very well Sirius.” Cissy said to which Bella agreed. He almost beamed with pride. He couldn’t wait for Hogwarts.
What Sirius Black failed to notice, was Regulus Black two steps behind them. What Sirius Black failed to see, was the terrified look on his brother’s face who would soon be alone for the first time in his life. While Sirius Black was standing on the edge of his feet, looking straight ahead, he failed to see that little Regulus Black was two steps behind him and always will be.