Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Seventeen

Bella

September 1.

Dear Jane,

I told you a few weeks back about Sirius's second brother and how I didn't understand why he kept his family hidden.

Well now I do . . . today, I met his Parents . . .

"What an impertinent little red head!" Sirius winced as his mother's voice came through the barrier on platform 9 ¾. "Trying to tell us off for snapping at those Muggles! . . . Sirius help your brother with his trunk . . ."

"Alright."

"It's Yes Ma'am! Why can't you be more like Regulus?" Sirius sighed as he pulled both his and Regulus's trunks up the steps to the train. Dragging them down the Corridor he frowned bitterly that this was going to be a long day! It was when he was struggling to lift Regulus's into the luggage rack that he heard James enter the compartment.

"Hey you want help with that?"

"Yup."

Sirius entered the Great Hall smiling and sat down at the Gryffindor table. He had forgotten all about what his parents had said, well . . . almost. His smile was whipped straight off his face when the hat began to sing however, because it was nothing like the Hat's usual song:

With their strength and learning,

Our founders bound together.

Seeking to build a school,

That would last forever.

But as you know, trouble brewed,

And to our great misfortune,

The founders fought,

And Hogwarts years were thought to be shortened.

Since then I fear to say,

We have not been the same.

I do fear to part you now,

I wonder is it sane.

But sort we must,

Don't worry so,

I will tell you your house

So your traits we know.

Gryffindors are brave

And strong.

In times of danger

They will come along.

Ravenclaws have brains

And Smarts.

They will show justice,

And play their parts.

Slytherins are cunning

And shrewd.

They get what they want,

But are almost never crude.

Hufflepuffs are loyal,

And true.

If true friendship,

They will protect you.

So let us stand together,

Hopeful now, and strong.

And I must yell you now it's time,

I'm afraid I must end my song.

"Wonder what that means," Peter muttered. Sirius was about to answer when McGonagall's voice shouted out:

"Black, Bellatrix!" Sirius's head shot up as he watched a pretty, raven hared, eleven year old swagger up to the hat and put it on.

"SLYTHERIN!" Sirius sighed, and ignored the rest of the sorting.

He wasn't going to get away from Bellatrix though. She was waiting for him when he left the great hall. "Auntie's mad, you know that!" she said to him, "Stanton's not part of this family anymore!"

"Neither will I be much longer," he answered her. "I'm leaving first chance I get!" Bellatrix's eyes widened and she ran off down a side corridor. He could hear her voice echoing back.

"Regulus, Regulus! Sirius's just said something awful!" Sirius shook his head and headed up to the dormitories.