Chapter 5: Christmas Ball part 2

There were many heirs and none heirs. Harold looked around the room and spotted some of them. Hanna Abbot, Angelina Johnson, Michael Chang, Oliver Wood, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, along with his new friend Susan Bones, Angelica Flint, Hector Brown, Joan Flint, the ever annoying Pansy Parkinson, Gabriella Wood, Cedric Diggory, his best mate Neville Longbottom, and their host's daughter Daphne Greengrass. There were others he didn't know, probably half-bloods and other children that weren't part of the Wizarding Hierarchy . Some were even grouped up, others chatted in pairs or stayed quiet near the buffet tables.

Angelina, Michael, Oliver, Angelica, and Cedric were with some other kids their age. While Hector, Joan, and Gabriella were with another group who Harold guessed were all third years and older. The last group was of his age and some who also weren't in Hogwarts yet.

Without further ado, he walked up to that group. Catching Neville's eye he nodded to his best friend. Neville looked at Daphne then back to him and nodded back. He got the message, greet the host first. Harold knew that Neville's Gran had ingrained basic Pure-blood antiquate into the poor boy's head. Harold spotted Daphne in a feathery white poncho and ankle length light blue dress. She finally saw him and smiled.

"Heiress Greengrass," Harold greeted and bowed.

"Heir Black," She curtsied. "That was a very entertaining show that you put out there. I know for a fact that those who attend Hogwarts now see you as a hero." Harold smiled back at her. He took out a small black box from his robes and gave it to her. "Oh, how thoughtful!" She grinned.

"I hope you like it." He said quietly and noticed that, indeed, those who attend Hogwarts were grinning at him. Though the Slytherins were just smirking. Harold kept his guard up.

"How pretty! Look Pansy!" Daphne presented the blue jeweled heart shaped necklace. Pansy nodded in appreciation. Her blue eyes widened in awe.

"Very nice. Good choice." Pansy smiled slyly at him. Harold tried not to make his smile look pained. He honestly hated the girl with every fiber of his being.

"Well, I see you didn't change cousin." Draco said, though he smirked in good humor. "Already charming girls at such a young age are you?"Draco said in a mighty tone that he had copied from his father as Blaise snickered along. Harold rolled his eyes but smiled back.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Harold James Black. Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black and House of Lupin." Without missing a beat he had followed Pureblood protocol. Merlin! This is such a pain to go through! I'd rather say hello and get my hands on that chocolate cake that is calling my name...

"Greetings, allow me to introduce my guests: My dearest friend Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini also a good friend, your cousin doesn't need an introduction," Draco shared a smirk with Harold at that, "Susan Bones, Hanna Abbot, Helen Nott, our visiting Canadian Josh Cooper, Natalia Duval who just came from France for the ball, Jensen Alexander visiting from America, and Heer Patel who came from India to visit her twin cousins but unfortunately they caught a bad case of a Witch's flu and couldn't make it." Daphne smiled at Neville. "I have heard a lot from Neville about you so I assume I don't need to introduce him." She teased. Harold smiled and winked at his best friend. Neville sighed, Harold knows how much Neville hates attention.

The other groups gathered around and waited to be introduced and some even offered Harold their hand to shake. Daphne finished and smiled in triumph as everyone went back to their previous places.

"Your dad is wicked by the way." Cedric Diggory commented with his friends nodding gleefully. As they left Neville and Harold shared a look. If only they knew how wicked Sirius Orion Black truly is... They both seemed to think. Draco caught the look and snorted. The others in the group blinked in confusion at the seemingly inside joke that the three boys were in.

The group of six and seven year olds chatted pleasantly and Harold found himself enjoying it. After a while Neville noticed Harold's not so subtle glances at the buffet.

"Come on," Neville whispered. "I can see the way you are looking at that cake. You Chocoholic. "

"Ah Nev, you know me so well." Harold grinned at his best friend. They casually leaned away from their group and headed towards the sweets. Neville got himself some pastries and Harold cut himself a very large piece of the divine chocolate cake. They silently talked and shared laughs while everyone else chatted.

But one Draco Malfoy still kept silent. He watched Harold and honestly wondered if he had made the right choice in trusting him. It was after all, thanks to Sirius Black that Draco got a chance at a bright future and his father by his side to witness it.

Last Year January 1st

Narcissa Malfoy nee Black rushed her son out of the dining room. She kept on giving nervous glances behind her back as if she were expecting something to chase her. An insistent tugging from her son had her look down at the pouting boy.

"Mum! I want to listen too. It's not fair!" Draco flinched at his mother's glare.

"This isn't the time Draco. I fear what will happen once one of them loses their temper." She mumbled the last part to herself but Draco heard it. Frowning in confusion he stubbornly stopped walking making his mother stumble back a step. "Draco! This isn't a game!" She knelt down and picked him up, making the boy blush in embarrassment once she balanced him on her hip.

"Mum! Let go!" He wiggled but his mother's death grip didn't slack for a second.

"There are some things that you are simply too young to listen to. My cousin is now the official head of my family. The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. That makes him in charge of me and you. Your father has no power to stop him if he so wishes to take us away from him." Narcissa hastily walked up the stairs to her son's room without a single hair out of place.

"But that's not fair!" Draco insisted.

"Life isn't fair." She shot back.

"But he can't do that! I'm a Malfoy! I belong with Father just as much as you do. Mummy please do something!" Draco panicked. Narcissa sighed sadly and opened the door to her son's room. She walked up to his large bed and sat down with him on her lap.

"Listen, to me little dragon." She cooed. "My cousin isn't heartless. He has a son of his own, your age in fact, and I think that he is here for our sake." Narcissa combed her fingers through her son's pale blond hair and straighten her back. "You see, your father has done things that I am not proud of. He had our best interest in heart but the way he tried to obtain these goals were... not so noble. It seems that Sirius wants to see if your father cares for us more than... his beliefs. This is all up to your father now. If he truly loves us than he will abandon his old beliefs. But if he is too scared of his friends' retributions than we must leave." Draco looked at his mother in shock.

"But, father loves us! He won't pick his old friends over us!" He insisted.

"There is much you don't know, Draco. The man your father follows is very powerful and merciless. If your father betrays him and he finds out about it, then it is over. We will all be punished for your father's betrayal. But if he continues to follow that man than you will be forced to live as that man wishes. You will live a very sad life. That is something that I will not allow." The steel her voice drew Draco to her grey eyes. They were just as hard.

"I don't understand. Why haven't you stopped father before?" Narcissa smiled sadly at him.

"I was too afraid and weak. I thought that if I spoke up then you will be taken away from me and I would be thrown away. I wasn't thinking straight. It was only when I heard that my aunt died and Sirius had taken her place did I finally let those thoughts from long ago come back to me. When I was first engaged to your father I was so young and in love. I foolishly discarded the fact that he serves that man. I didn't know any better. But as time went on and I realized that I was pregnant with you, suddenly, a whole new world had been opened before my eyes. A world where my child would be a servant to a very cruel man and my husband, without a no doubt, be too cowardly to protect you from him. I couldn't let it happen. I vowed to myself that I would help my cousin's friends if ever the opportunity came. Now I have a chance to save you. The head of my house is strong and soon will be influential. I can feel it, Draco. He will save us. You'll see."

It was almost half an hour later when Lucius came into the room looking old and tired. Narcissa held her son closer and gave her full attention to her husband.

"I will no longer serve him. I choose you and Draco. Will you ever forgive me for blindly following his wishes?" The once proud man was now looking defeated.

"It will take time. But, I do find myself still in love with you. I want us to raise Draco together and stay a family." Narcissa's words seemed to bring life back to his eyes. He looked down at his son who smiled back at him.

"I knew you loved us." His blind faith made Lucius nearly tear up in joy.

"I took an unbreakable vow. When the time comes I will spy on him and help bring him down, for good." His grave words rang across the room.

"Then, you better be the best Slytherin out there and not get caught. For all our sakes." Narcissa's words sealed the deal.

Till this day, Draco wondered if his family made the right choice in trusting Lord Black and his heir with their lives.

Sirius smiled charmingly at the two women. "Amelia, long time no see. I believe congratulations are in order."

Madam Bones smiled pleasantly. "Well, look at that. The much talked about Lord Sirius Black. Should I feel honored or worried for being singled out so publicly."

Under that Hufflepuff facade is a slimly Slytherin. That is how Amelia rose in the ranks so quickly. The woman is sharp as a butcher's knife. Sirius showed none of his thoughts and pretended to be the old Gryffin that he was during Hogwarts.

"Oh forgive me for wanting to congratulate you as an old coworker, Amelia. But it seems you saw right through me." Sirius winked and looked at Elizabeth.

"Hello Sirius." Elizabeth smiled prettily. "You look well." She gave him a subtle once over tat even Amelia caught.

"Merlin help me." Amelia mumbled miserably.

"Now, now, I'm not here to cause any trouble for Mrs. Abbot. Just a friendly hello." Sirius said.

"Friendly my arse." Amelia shot back but was ignored by the two.

"You haven't changed one bit, Lizzy. You are still beautiful as ever." Sirius softly said and to his delight watched the woman blush.

"Y-yes, um, thank you, Siri." Elizabeth looked flustered which made Amelia roll her eyes.

"Makes me wonder why I ever let you go..." The heated look that Sirius sent her made Elizabeth gulp loudly.

"Well, it was a known fact that there was no woman who could hold the interest of Sirius Black for long." She smiled shyly. "I guess we were not meant to be."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Amelia interrupted and walked between the two.

"This is Yule! A time for celebration! Not rekindling some old love between you two. It's history!" Amelia grumbled. Elizabeth redden.

"I-I think my husband is calling me... It was nice seeing you again Sirius." She flashed him a warm smile and briskly walked away. Leaving Sirius alone with an angry Amelia.

"Oh, come off it. I was just catching up." Sirius said defensively.

Amelia's glare didn't lessen. "If you keep this going you are going to bed half of these married women."

"But it's not like i haven't done them before." Sirius grinned.

"That was before they were married."

"But Elizabeth didn't seem to mind talking about old times.

"She most certainly minded you trying to take it a step too far."

"She didn't seem so though."

"Don't you dare, Sirius Orion Black! Or I will have you arrested!"

"For being charming?"

"For being an idiot."

"Careful there Amelia... You don't want your new found power going into your head. Might corrupt you."

Amelia glared at him. "It seems fatherhood most certainly did not change you for the better."

Sirius raised a brow at her. "If it isn't broken..."

"Shut it Black." Amelia smirked.

"Oh, I'm just teasing. Being arse around you is just too fun, Mia. Your reactions are always top notch."

Amelia huffed. "Glad to be of service. Now spit it out. What do you want?"

"Just an old favor you owe me for saving your neck once upon a time."

Amelia gave him a searching look. She was quiet for a moment. The music around them changed for a waltz which immediately began to attract young unmarried women to Sirius. Her friend though didn't pay them any attention. That in itself was odd, it showed how truly Sirius wanted her to do him a favor. Sirius was never one to pass up an opportunity to dance with pretty women.

"Fine, the day after tomorrow at eleven in the morning. My office, don't be late." Amelia gave him a hard look but he gave her a charming one. He changed right before her eyes into a carefree flirtatious nobleman once more in blink of an eye.

"Thank you, Amelia! Now if you will excuse me, I have some ladies to dance with." His boyish grin was on his face the moment he turned to the crowd of women waiting for him.

Amelia felt cold all of a sudden. Was he always playing the role of the Charming Gryffindor all this time? What is his true face? Come to think of it... Just what is this game he is playing at and why do I feel like I have just sighed up to play a very dangerous game?

Sirius meanwhile walked up to the group of young girls and inwardly smiled. He had caught Amelia's interest for now. He knew her curiosity was her down fall. If it was one thing his family taught him, it was to keep your opponents and allies on their toes. Being predictable would be the end of the game. The Blacks were known for their madness, it was time to incorporate some of his ancestor's tactics.

He has a son to protect from a manipulative git, a madman, pure-bloods who wish to marry their daughters to his son, and his childhood enemy.

Let the games begin.

AN: Hey everyone, I didn't spell check this so if you see mistakes kindly point them out!

Anyway, yes I did add some OCs but they won't have such a large part in the story (They are created for the Christmas Ball only because their job is to help Harold meet some people of interest). Sorry for the long delay. I have two more stories being written, plus I need to revise one that I had already posted. A new story will be posted soon. Anyway, Happy New Year everybody!

I don't own Harry Potter, if I did then I would have never killed off Sirius.