Harry Potter Oneshots

Mending Fences (Sirius Black)

I tug on my dress once more, disliking the length as well as the color. A light peach shade, it came up to my knees and washed out my already pale skin. Eyeing myself once more, I add a pair of the pearl earrings Mother had insisted I don. They were rather huge, but we were going to a pure-blood gathering so I knew Mother wouldn't settle for less.

I head downstairs only to see the house elves scurrying about. Mother screams at them, urging them to hurry or we'd be late as Father watches from the sidelines. I wouldn't mind being late in the slightest, and I briefly contemplate giving the elves the wrong orders.

Unfortunately, the elves listen to Mother and hand us some food we're supposed to bring as a gesture of good faith and we activate the floo. Once we get to their house, Mother makes a huge show of brushing soot off my and my sister's dresses, loudly claiming that we looked absolutely perfect in a clear attempt to garner attention toward us.

I look around the home, finding it every bit as extravagant and unnecessary as ours; large winding stairs, pillars, and marble everywhere the eye could see. I wrinkle my nose lightly so Mother wouldn't catch it and reprimand me and I turn around, hoping I could see someone here who was familiar and not a completely brainwashed git.

"Looking for someone?"

I jump slightly and turn to see Regulus standing there grinning. I scowl and slap his arm. "You couldn't have tapped my shoulder or something?" I hiss quietly.

He shrugs and pulls me from my family slightly, an action I'm grateful for. "What can I say? This whole day is about dramatics. I'm just getting in the mood."

A light hush falls over the room and I see Bellatrix Black descending the stairs. Her fiancé, Rodolphus, takes her arm and everyone continues to mingle, congratulating the two on the engagement. My sister and mother head off, likely in search of a marriage contract for her, while Father looks for the wine.

"They make quite the pair," Regulus comments quietly. I follow the two and note that they were both dressed in colors brighter than my own, and suddenly I was thankful this dress was the worst Mother could do.

"Bellatrix has always been odd," I shrug. "And Rodolphus as well. I'd say they suit."

Regulus says nothing but I can see that he agrees. He turns on his heel and without speaking I follow him. We both know what the procedure was at these things; ever since we were children we'd sneak off into an isolated room, usually the family library, and relax until our parents made us leave. We'd likely have to descend earlier than normal out of politeness, seeing as Bella was Regulus' cousin and Rodolphus had a younger brother my mother had her eye on, but it was worth it to get away from the stifling atmosphere for even a moment.

We reach the library and Regulus throws open the massive double doors. He strides in with confidence as I lunge to try and prevent the doors from slamming against the walls. I miss one and the sound echoes through the library. Regulus gives me an unimpressed look and I scowl.

"Don't look at me like that," I hiss. He says nothing and continues deeper into the library. I follow once more, muttering curses under my breath.

I'm so preoccupied by wishing horrible things on him and his descendants that I fail to hear the noises forming from the back. I likely wouldn't have noticed at all if Regulus hadn't thrown a hand out in front of me, effectively slamming into my chest. I scowl at him again but quickly notice his attention is around the next corner of the bookshelf.

He stalks forward, drawing his wand quietly and I suppress the urge to snort. As if he would be able to use magic without getting a warning from the ministry. Nonetheless, I take my own wand out just in case.