The Blackthorns

*~*~* Hogwarts Express, December 22, 1973 *~*~*

"Let's see now, Remus's had his chocolate and is ready to face the platform, James has been turned down by the lovely Lily and therefore can now go home with his gallant duty done. How 'bout you, Pete? Anything you need to do before we arrive?" Sirius asked in a put-on cheerful tone. He hated going home for the holidays. The grim old place certainly lived up to its name. There was no holiday cheer, only his increasingly deranged mother, his little brother who was desperately trying to live up to as many people's wishes as possible, and his cold aloof father. Bloody hell, he'd rather not.

"I'm good," Peter chirped. "What are your plans for the hols?"

"I only know that once my father picks us up on the platform he's taking Reg and I shopping in the Alley to purchase mother's Christmas."

"Why hasn't he already done that or sent the elf out to do it?" James asked in confusion. James's parents had house elves but they were reasonably normal...well, for house-elves. His mother's house-elf was insane. Probably because it had been tied to the Black line for far too long and they were all a little nuts.

"No idea," Sirius said gloomily.

"Well, I'm sorry. Think we could arrange it to meet on the Alley at some point during the holiday?" James asked knowing Sirius's parents would flat refuse to let him visit James at home.

"Doubt it. Unless Father takes me to the bank for some reason."

"Let me know if that's a possibility," James smiled. "We'll work something out to get you a break from the family."

They finally pulled up to the platform and collected their cases. 

*~*~*~*~*~*

Orion Black was possibly one of the least deranged Blacks on the tree. He was best known for turning a loss into an advantage. His son being sorted into Gryffindor had tried that ability to the max, but he had finally found an advantage. Currently, the Black family was being courted by a strange and powerful man. One who spoke to the ideals of the pureblood. It reminded him strongly and frighteningly of Grindelwald. He would prefer his family not get embroiled in that mess, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. Having his heir in Gryffindor put him in the company of mostly light side wizards. As distasteful as this was, it meant the Black family would continue no matter which side came out on top in the future. Orion liked his son and saw his boldness as a good thing that could only aid him in his ambitions. That Sirius's ambitions took him away from his family galled him no end, but even he could see that they may need to bend a little or the madness that was plaguing their family may end it altogether. Wizarding kind had become too closely bred and the muggles and their thrice damned 'morals' not learning a damned thing about their society weren't helping. Uppity little Johnny-come-latelys the lot of them.

Being bitter about it wasn't going to change anything. Better to hedge his bets.

Once Sirius and Regulus had approached him, Regulus eagerly and Sirius as if he'd rather have his teeth pulled, Orion nodded briskly, shrunk their cases for them to carry in their pockets, and led them to the floo bank. Clearly stating their destination they disappeared in a green flash of fire.

*~*~*~*~*~*

It was the Saturday before Christmas and Diagon Alley was packed. The Blacks were making their way to Walburga's favourite jeweler when Sirius saw him as he left Flourish and Blott's. He was tall and broad with a full head of deep black hair. What caught Sirius's notice was that he was wearing a muggle leather jacket and had on muddy boots. He had two teens with him, a boy, obviously his son, about Sirius's own age that had a good head start on his father's height, and a girl who he would have mistaken for a child by her height if he hadn't seen the curves under her sweater.