Growing up Pureblooded

Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Gryffindor

Aries pulled Sirius over to the table and they sat down. Arcturus rose from his seat and raised a glass. "Allow me to propose a toast," he said in his high reedy voice, "to my grandson, Sirius Orion Black, heir to our Noble and Most Ancient House, and to his fine son, Aries Sirius Black, who has turned into such a magnificent young gentleman, a tribute to his breeding and upbringing. Sirius and Aries!" "Sirius and Aries," the family mumbled. Arcturus sat back down. "Merlin, Sirius, it's good to have you back," Melania gushed, piling food high on his plate with her wand. "You're awfully thin. It's not healthy. Not to to worry though, we shall have you fixed up in no time." "Thank you Granny," Sirius said. "Actually, Aunt Cassie has already done a good bit of fixing me up and bringing me up to date. I don't know how I could have managed without her." "Oh, it's nothing at all," Cassiopeia said, blushing faintly. "Oh no, Aunt Cassie, I am very grateful to you," Sirius said. "I'm especially grateful for the excellent tutoring you've been giving Aries. I do hope you'll continue." Cassiopeia beamed at him. "Well, if you insist dear, I suppose I can. We must provide only the best for darling Aries."

"Yes, I see no reason why anything should change, simply because Sirius is free," Pollux expressed his opinion. "you and the Squibs have been doing a fine job raising Aries, and I'm sure Sirius will be only too happy to maintain the status quo." Irma rolled her eyes. Marius and Clytemnestra just sighed. "Well, I for one am glad that little Aries has a father," Abraxas said. "You're a fine boy Sirius, Allow me to express my joy at having you as my son-in-law, and welcome you to the Malfoy family. Our home is your home." Lucius muttered darkly under his breath. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Sirius. Abraxas chuckled. "Please, call me Dad." Lucius continued his angry muttering. Aries glanced over at Draco and rolled his eyes. Draco chuckled, but not before Aries had seen a look of longing in his cousin's eyes as he stared at the way Sirius had his arm around Aries's shoulders.

"By the way, Aries," Cassiopeia piped up. "Don't forget that your father and I shall take you and Draco to Diagon Alley tomorrow in order to purchase your wands. That will give you a good month of practice before you return to England." Pollux harrumphed. "I don't see the need for these preposterous restrictions on underage magic. The French take a much more sensible line on this, I think." "well, our children manage to do magic at home without being detected," Irma said acidly. "I don't think their having to abstain in public is such an insuperable hardship." "Not all families allow their children to use magic at home, Irma," Melania pointed out. "I was never allowed to practice during the holidays." "Yes, dear," Irma replied in a saccharine voice, "But you did come from a family of Hufflepuffs." "Don't let your great-grandmother prejudice you boys," Melania said to Aries and Draco. "Hufflepuff is a fine house." "I'm with you Granny." Dora said proudly. "Draco, I swear if you're sorted into Hufflepuff I'll disown you," Lucius said evenly. "Don't be ridiculous, Lucius," Abraxas said. "Draco will go where ever Aries goes, and where else could our little Parselmouth go to but Slytherin." Lucius resumed his muttering.

"I don't know Dad," Sirius said with a mischievous smile. "Aries could take after his father and wind up in Gryffindor." Everyone fell silent and scowled at Sirius. Aries jumped to his father's defense. "That's brilliant, Dad!" he shouted. He gave Draco a pointed look, and his cousin jumped in. "That's right Uncle Sirius," Draco. "It would be wicked for Aries and I to wind up in Gryffindor! Who knew you were so devious?" "What are you babbling on about, Draco?" Lucius demanded. "Think about it, Uncle Lucius," Aries said. "If I am to fulfill my true destiny, it's essential to keep meddling old fools like Albus Dumbledore from suspecting what I'm up to." "He'll watch us like a hawk if we're in Slytherin, given our family backgrounds," Draco said. "The prejudiced old codger," Pollux muttered emphatically. "But in Gryffindor, we could do as we please without fear of retribution," Draco continued. "We can build up our power bases without opposition," Aries added. "And when the time is right, we strike" Sirius said brightly to everyone's shock and delight. "The Muggle-loving fools won't know what hit them." Aries and Draco looked up at him in a mixture of surprise and admiration. No adult had ever caught on to them so quickly before, still less joined in.

Cassiopeia cackled. "A fine plan. Worthy of Slytherin's true Heir." Abraxas chuckled thoughtfully, "You made good points, boys. If anything, I think this proves the two of you think like Slytherins. But, if you can pull it off, your plot has my blessing." "No one would expect the next Dark Lord to come from Hufflepuff either," Melania said, sulking, but no one paid her any mind, except for poor Dora, who was beginning to understand just why her parents wanted her to keep her distance from the House of Black. After dinner, Sirius, Aries, Draco, and Abraxas went outside fora game of two-on-two Quidditch. Aries and Sirius teamed up against Draco and Abraxas, and the teams were fairly evenly matched. Sirius and Aries won the first match, and then Sirius suggested they switch. Draco seemed surprised. "I thought you'd want to spend time with Aries," he sputtered. "I do," Sirius said. "But I'd also like to get to know my favorite nephew." Draco raised an eyebrow. "Uncle Sirius, I'm your only nephew." Sirius grinned, "Precisely." Abraxas and Aries won the second match easily, and Draco looked a bit frustrated, but Sirius ruffled his hair and promised him that they'd play again the next day after they got back from Diagon Alley. "And tomorrow, we'll win," Sirius assured his nephew. "In your dreams," Abraxas retorted. Aries and Draco both laughed.