Author's Note.

I am sorry for the late update, I recently got diagnosed with BPD and started a Youtube channel regarding that- it's Anjali Roongta, do check it out! How are you all doing with the quarantine? This is un-betaed, apologies. My beta continues to be MIA right now so...let me know what you think? Also, not to be repetitive but I recently published a book titled "Diary of a Twenty-Something: A Collection of Teenage Musings." I would love it if you guys got the e-copy and left me your thoughts. Love you all!

Stepping onto the platform, I straighten my robes and look around. Through the smoke and noise, I make out people I know or knew. The Lestrange brothers are standing next to the Malfoys, Lucius' blonde hair a beacon. Narcissa and Bellatrix were already hovering there, Bella holding her fiancée's arm, looking like the picture of a pure-blood lady in her crisp black robes, witch's hat, and elegant posture. Looking at her now, I find it difficult to picture the menace she would become in just a few years. The flesh finally reflecting the madness inside, as Sirius would say. Narcissa, on the other hand, is more modern than her elder sister. There isn't a hat covering her blonde locks, ones that she had metamorphosed to match Malfoy's. Her Slytherin robes and prefect's batch shine, but she is too busy examining her nails to pay attention to her bethorded.

On the other side of the platform is Severus, greasy hair and frayed robes, standing next to Lily Evans as usual. Leaning against the wall next to the floo entrance, I search for the Marauders. Mother had sent me ahead because Father wanted to talk to Sirius. I never knew what the talk was, all I knew is that Sirius had run straight to his friends after that and Mother had sternly told me not to follow in his footsteps. I want to change that but I can't foresee the consequences of something I don't know all the details of. Thus, I wait.

In the distance, I can see some future Ravenclaws, one of whom was a member of the Death Eaters around the same time I was. He died at the hands of Bella. Shaking away the memory, I turn towards the green fire and watch as my brother stumbles out and runs towards where I know Potter and Lupin are. Their eyes have been on me this whole time. Before I can follow Sirius, though, Mother's hand wraps around my arm like a vice. Her smile is sweet but I can't look at it the same way after what I learnt last week. She tried to keep me from Sirius, and from making my own choices. Was I ever more than a puppet to her?

"Regulus, remember the pride of our House rests on your shoulders. Do right by us, son."

Father's voice is gravelly as usual and my eyes dart between my parents. How much did he know of her schemes?

"Yes, Father."

My voice is colder than they expected and quivering more than I did. This past few weeks, after the last few months, have been a blessing. It was good to be a child again, even if it meant that my actions were more monitored. Right now, the Dark Lord was a mere thought in the minds of the oldest pureblood families, and there was no lake or inferi waiting for me. No unforgivable curses ready to crumple me to bits if I didn't comply. Those experiences scarred me, but coming home? It was a balm to my soul. Yet…there are horrors in my mind now. Worse than the ones I had when I first left for Hogwarts and a part of me simply wants to climb under my covers and shut out the world. Except I am a Black and we don't have that luxury. Nodding to my parents, I pick up my trunk and make my way towards the Hogwarts express.

Collapsing on my bed, I look at the celestial ceiling above me. Ravenclaw dorms were very different from the Slytherin quarters under the lake. The rotating bookshelves, the door knocker, the shared dorms with no regard to social status…are new. Us, the, snakes are a bunch divided sharply based on social classes and etiquette and the 'claws seem to lack that organization, most of them drifting between books and shelves, blowing up the adjoined individual study-rooms and being…unique. Sitting up, I began penning a letter to Mother, trying to moderate the disaster that will be breakfast tomorrow. I already have most of what I will say planned, weeks spent agonizing over the words I would have to write should everything go to plan. Now that it has, after a long argument with the pesky hat and an interesting interaction with Malfoy and the Marauders, I cannot stop to enjoy Hogwarts life. Not until I have made past the first month without having been disowned.

Dear Mother,

My apologizes at my inability to have been sorted into Slytherin. I feared that I have let the Ancient and Noble House of Back down. However, on further thought I feel that is not the case. I understand Father and you have no need to indulge my words after the shame I have brought upon our name, however, I feel it might be in everyone's best interests should it be done. The House of Black has always produced upstanding pure-blood wizards, most of whom have been Slytherins. However, it has now become expected of the heir of the House and all other Black children to enter the snake's lair and I feel by getting sorted into the second most favoured Hogwarts house, known for its wit and intelligence, I am setting myself apart from the hoard, thus showing that the sons of Walburga and Orion Black aren't run of the mill Blacks but different and thus more likely to bring diversity and fame to the Ancient and Noble House of Black. Moreover, seeing the changing political conditions of Wizarding Britain, having a child in each Hogwarts house might be in the best interest of our House, should a war break out, thereby giving us a better perspective of the whole event. Moreover, as the hat put it, what is more, Slytherin than not being in Slytherin?
Despite all this, I would still apologize for the shame I have brought upon you and the name of House Black. I hope I can be forgiven.
Your son,
Regulus A. Black,
Youngest son of the Most Nobel and Ancient House of Black

Re-reading my words I frown at the maturity in them. No eleven-year-old, not even a pure blood would write like that. However, even after weeks of deliberation, I have been unable to conjure anything better. Shaking my head at my own inability to properly maintain my own ruse, I make my way up to the owlery, hoping that Elijah is awake. Not Black would ever stoop down enough to use a school-owl, no matter what Sirius said or did. Certainly, not this Black. A social standard and etiquette were important pillars of any society, after all, something that everyone would do well to learn, muggle-born or otherwise.

"Regulus!"

I stop and turn slightly towards Narcissa, as she hurries towards me, not exactly walking but not running either. No well-bred woman would run after all, unlike Evans and her ilk. Or so is held by most traditional houses, who despite teaching their daughters to duel, would rather they run offices and homes. A rather backward view, I feel now, after having seen some women in action. They would remind one of the avenging angles, the muggles like to worship.

"Yes Cissy?"
At her smile, I relax slightly. My cousin doesn't loathe me. Yet. Having the Malfoys on my side would be beneficial in the long run, and Cissy had always been my favourite of the Black Sisters as they are known. Bella was slightly too lunatic for my tastes and the less said about Andromeda the better, was the family view.

"How are you settling in?"

Her question is awkward, and very unlike her. It appears my sorting has shaken her as well, as is expected. I think longingly of my first sorting when Lucius had taken me under his wing, filling the role Sirius should have. Now, I have to navigate Hogwarts alone. Had I actually been eleven, it would have been a daunting prospect and that thoughts makes me grateful for Narcissa's efforts.

"Very well, cousin. A little sad not o have upheld the traditions of our house but sometimes it's better to be apart from the crowd wouldn't you agree?"

Falling into step with me, Narcissa silently leads me to the Great Hall and to the start of the spinning of my web.