Happy Birthday, Mr. Black.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius Black stood in the corner of his crowded dining room, frowning as he critically surveyed the people milling around. His hair was uncharacteristically tidy, forced into a parting by some charm of his mother’s.
His lanky frame was also unusually neat, as the boy had been ordered to wear one of his father’s suits.

It wasn’t just his appearance that had changed, either. The whole house seemed to have been transfigured into something new. Whilst all the security measures were in still place (his father might be turning fifty, but his eccentricity still remained), nearly every item of furniture had been hidden away, transported to elsewhere in the house, or had had a spell cast upon it to make it smaller.

The dining room seemed very lively, compared to its usual regal state, for banners and garlands had been strung about everywhere. The large dining table that normally stood in the centre of the room had been replaced by a long buffet counter, laden with sumptuous foods and pushed against one of the wood panelled walls.
Dragon-hide chairs stood sentry along another wall, many of which were already in use – though the party had hardly begun.
Relatives who weren’t seated simply stood about the room in clusters, everyone beaming and chattering. The noise they made was overwhelming.
“Obviously enjoying the strictly pure-blood company,” Sirius muttered to himself, shaking his head.

He hated being a pure-blood. He was related to so many people because of it… and many of the closer relatives tended to be in possession of fairly large nasty streaks.
The teen glared at the people before him. The Malfoys, The Blacks. Sirius was willing to bet that nearly everybody in the room had been in Slytherin when they had attended Hogwarts.

As he looked, Sirius was able to recognise some of his aunts, uncles, his grandparents, great-grandparents… But had so far been unable to catch sight of anybody with whom he got along with.
Some members of the family, he suspected, had been excluded from the invitation lists.

Sirius only really liked the younger generations of his family. The younger the better, in his mind. The younger children tended to be less closed-minded. Less tainted by the ‘Noble Black’ blood that resided in their veins.

There were, of course, exceptions. One of his cousins, Andromeda, one year his elder, he got along well with her. Uncle Alphard, too, he liked. Though it was highly doubtful that he would make an appearance.
As Sirius contemplated this, a young red-haired girl skipped up – though she had to tug at Sirius’ starched trousers before he realised her presence.
“Hey, Sirius, Sirius!” Her freckled face was split into a wide grin.

Sirius beamed. On second thoughts… this girl was clearly a part of the Weasley clan. If the Weasleys were present, who was to say Uncle Alphard wasn’t present?
Much happier, Sirius gently pushed the seven year old aside.
“I have to go,” he told her, walking away, just as the door-bell rang.
“Look, there are more relatives arriving. Go play with one of them!”
“But Sirius!” The girl stared tearfully after the boy’s retreating back, “I just wanted to tell you! I’m your great-great-grandfather’s nephew’s niece!”

Groaning, Sirius hurried into the hallway, staring at the new arrivals, hoping that one would be his Uncle.
Unfortunately, he was disappointed.
“Why is it so hard,” he murmured, burying his head in his hands as he thought about the Weasley girl, “To find a simple uncle, yet it’s incredibly easy to find some really distant relative?”

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud squawk from his mother, who was welcoming the guests into the house.
“Sirius! What do you think you’re doing out here? Get back in that corner, where I told you to stand. Disgracing the household! Get out of my sight now! Kreacher! Get him into the dining room! And refill the champagne glasses!”

“Yes mistress!” A small, high-pitched voice burst from underneath a pile of coats, the legs of a house-elf only just visible amongst the many layers of lavish material.
Sirius stared at the garments. Why was every item of clothing a different shade of green or black? It was all rather depressing.

Shaking his head and forcing his thoughts to the back of his mind, the young teen retreated from the hallway, tripping over the prized troll-leg umbrella stand as he fought to get away from Kreacher.
Fortunately, his mother was unaware of this, as she was far too busy greeting more guests, with a hospitality that Sirius had never seen before.
His Father, meanwhile, was standing in the middle of the dining room, a champagne flute clutched his hand, a grin bedecking his face as he admired the piles of presents collecting at his feet.

Sirius sighed and stood himself back in his allotted corner, grumpily chewing on a Kneazle fritter that he had picked up as he’d past the buffet table.
“Happy fiftieth, Dad,” he growled, folding his arms, “Glad you’re having fun.”

((Sorry it’s so awful and sorry it took so long to post… I’ve just been so busy and… Ugh, Just Sorry. I hope your posts will make up for the lousiness of mine!))

[Jason Pattew]

OoC:// -grimace- pure-bloods only? -backs away-

[CJ Jones]

"I can not /believe/ that mom accepted this invitation!" moaned a male voice from the front step.
"Me either!" Agreed a second male voice.
"I mean, even though all us pure-bloods are all somehow /distantly/ related doesn't mean we want to be dragged to some stupid party at the Black's house!" a third voice groaned.
"Boys, please!" snapped an adult female voice "Someone inside may hear you!"
The three male voices groaned before muttering something along the lines of 'Sorry mom' in unison.

The door was opened by some passing guest and the six people on the doorstep each walked in. In the front, looking rather pleased to be invited were Mr and Mrs Jones, both dressed up in their best robes and instantly looking around for well-known relatives and behind the two of them were the three Jones boys, each one dressed in Muggle clothes topped off with their best black cloaks. And finally, still lingering by the doorway was the oddest member of the group, the young tom-boy clad in her usual Muggle attire and her hair sticking out at all angles. Despite her mothers best attempts CJ Jones had insisted on coming dressed like this, she had apparently declared to her mother 'I don't exactly want to come anyway! So I either go like this or I don't go at all!' Her mother had obviously wanted the whole family present so she had agreed with CJ and dragged her four rather reluctant children along to the party.

The six Jones' made their way around the house, the boys each stood by the hallway walls and began discussing how they were each getting on at work, their parents drifted into the dining room and towards family that they knew well and CJ sighed softly before heading over into a corner where she hoped no one would see her hiding away from the rest of the party. A dark corner where she hoped no one would talk to her. A dark corner where, unbeknown to here, the eldest Black boy was standing...

[robyn]

((-Sulks In Corner-
It's not fair!! CJ has a whole pure blood family to play with in this scene!! All I have is the muggle-loving Cassandra Starchild, and the chances are that she wouldn't have even been /thought/ of when the Invitations to /this/ party were sent out!! Odds are she's just another hole in the Black Family Tapestry!!

Cassandra: -Cries-
It's true!! It's /true/!!
-Howls With Sadness-

Me: -Stares-
And I thought /I/ was being over-the-top...
I should have made more pure bloods...))

[Remus J. Lupin]

<sup>ooc :: na no da, I'm here! Niri :: =grumbles=

“One potato, two potato, three potato, four, five potato, six potato more!
Ugh. I’ve got a headache. And that stupid thing is stuck in my head. And those stupid people won’ shut up. Ugh.
Something something bottle-tops and cans …”
Nirak Dragon was sat on one of the oddly small chairs, glaring at every person that passed him. He had a headache, and a load of infuriating nursery rhymes stuck in his head, and he just didn’t want to be here. Worst of all … his mother was here.

He could see her every now and then, about two feet shorter than every adult no doubt, but still holding the threatening stance and ‘don’t mess with me’ expression that all Dragons seemed to have. He crunched a cheese twist – he’d brought a box full of them --, snarling bitterly to himself. Why did he have to come along? He could have stayed at home, finally free of Hogwarts. Someone came up to him, and tried starting a conversation. All they got in return was a glare and a snarled ‘bugger off’.

Metallic eyes swept around, still spotting his mother with her long golden-honey hair tied back in a ponytail, often talking to men. No, scratch that – the only people she talked to were men. He wondered if his most recent step-father had committed suicide yet. Probably had. No one seemed to be able to stomach even an hour or so around Angelina Dragon. In his opinion, Nirak was lucky to be alive. Evil wench. He called her every name under the sun, and yet she still dragged him along to these things. Punishment, most probably, he guessed.

“What the hell’re you lookin’ at?” he snapped at some random person whose eyes had lingered a little too long for Niri’s liking. Hunching over in the chair, munching on another cheese twist pulled from the little green box in his pocket, he scowled at all the people here. Stupid people, why couldn’t they just shut up?</sup>

[Andromeda Black]

"So, how are the professors?"
"Fine."
"And you enjoy Slytherin very much?"
"Yes."
"Oh, excellent, excellent. You know, I went to school with that Slughorn--"
Andromeda Black mentally groaned. The conversation seemed to go on and on, and her great Aunt Jacqueline just didn't seem to want to shut up. It really was annoying, especially since she decided just minutes ago she would be a Slytherin that evening, just so people didn't scowl at her and lecture.

"Andromeda?" A voice behind the teen called thoughtfully.
"Oh, hello Melanctha! How are you?" The plump little witch literally pushed Andromeda aside so she could talk to the girl's mother. "Andromeda and I were just talking about Hogwarts! It's nice to hear what has changed and what is still the same, hm?"
Melanctha nodded. "Oh, yes, of course!"
Aunt Jacqueline peered around the room a bit, just barely standing on her toes. "I don't see my dear Bellatrix any place around here, is she present?"
Andromeda's posture slumped as she trailed off in boredom. She gently took a strand of her hair and began twisting it around her finger. So many purebloods, it was almost nauseating--
Slap.
"What was that for?!" Andromeda spat at her mother as she rubbed her arm that was turning red, a hand mark imprinted on her wrist.
"Don't use that tone with me!" Melanctha warned, placing her delicate hand back at her side. "Twisting your hair is an ugly habit. Now, run along and find someone to talk to."
"Yes, mother." Andromeda muttered as she slowly walked twords the clump of people that seemed to all be standing smack in the middle of the room. Oh well, she would just walk around them...

A smirk curled around Andy's face as she decided that it wouldn't be necessary for her to take a few extra strides to leave the room. After all, she could just as easily walk through the pack of purebloods.
Without another thought on the matter, Andromeda thrusted her chin up and plunged into the mass of humans, sharply elbowing people in their side as she passed.
"S'cuse me, oops! So sorry, please move. You're in my way!" She beamed at someone who looked about Sirius' age. The boy scowled at the ground for a moment before letting his older relative pass.
Finally, after a few moments, Andy stood at the other end of the clump. She snickered as she noted some of her cousins rubbing their sides tenderly.

Andy, one. Family, zero. She grinned, deciding to mentally keep a chart in her head.
Noting a few chairs at the side of the room, Andromeda happily pranced other to them. Without looking, she plopped down on the seat.
"Shit!" The fourteen-year-old spat as she lept up from too small chair, and just to her luck a little girl was walking by.
The brunette's mouth seemed to drop as she stood motionless, staring at Andy. "Huh!" She gasped. "You said shit!"
Andromeda's hand flew twords the girl's mouth. "No, no, no, no, no, no!" She breathed, trying to drag the four-year-old away from all the people so she could reason with her.
Immediately, the little girl bit Andromeda's hand, and screamed.
"Shit!" Andy let out in horror as she whipped her hand back to her body, examining the teeth marks embedded in her skin.
"Huuuuuh! You said it again! Mummy!" The little girl tore off in to the crowd yelling, "She said shit! She said shit!"
Clutching her hand, Andromeda sprinted to the opposite corner of the room, watching the child very closely.

"Yes, dear?" The girl's mother asked plainly as she looked down on her daughter.
"Mummy! She said shit!" The brunette pointed to the wall where Andy stood only moments ago.
The shocked mother gasped, slapping her daughter across the face. "I forbid you to say that word!!!" Without another word, the little girl and her 'Mummy' flounced out of the room, each looking equally red.

Andy, two. Family, zero.

Andromeda silently chuckled. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.



ll Bleh. xP I liked your post Twiggeh! ^^ ll

[Devin Smithers]

//I have permission from Moo, -bows to moo-, to play ickle little Narcissa just for this board, seeing as she is needed. I think she would be around 10 years old here.
Me: -hugs little Cissa-
Cissa: -bites-
Me: AHH! PIRANHA!!!!!!! -runs around like a crazy lady-//

[Andromeda Black]

ll -watches krissy run around like a crazy lady gone dead- ^^ I <3 Foamy. Anyways, yay! ^^ Andy luffs her little 'Cissa... sometimes. Ish. Not really. Oh well, she likes her more than Bellatrix, but less than Sirius. ^^

-le gasp- I just realized, (well, actually Krissy reminded me) that Andy would have to have Tonks around now. xDD I read in many places that she would have had to have had her (wow that was confusing to type) when she was about 14 or 15. -amused smile- ll

[Anya Delioncour]

The instant he walked inside, he was nearly trampled by several teen-age girls, and he could have sworn his ears were bleeding after a loud screeeching of, 'LUCY!' Cringing, Lucius Malfoy pushed his way past them, nodding in greeting to Msr Black. Why was he here again? Ah yes. He had gotten word that Nirak Dragon would be there. And his father said he should go spend some time with his betrothed to get to know her. Jeese. What was she, ten? As far as he knew, she wasn't even in school yet, Narcissa Black. He couldn't help but grimmace. That ment he would be marrying someone seven years younger, and that person was his fifth cousin or something like that.

Glancing behind him, Lucius noticed to girls he knew. Celestia Moonshadows, and Sonja Lycania. Sonja was OK, he supposed. But he couldn't stand Celestia. She was so fricken annoying! Why Nirak hung around with either of them was beyond him.

Sonja was only there because her foster parents had forced her to go with Celestia. Tia would prolly fit right in with this crowd, but Sonja wouldn't. She knew Nirak, who was pretty much her only 'friend' would be there, but she didn't want to bother him. With a sigh, the dark haired woman looked at Lucius. "Have you seen Sirius? I'm hoping he knows some escape routes."

[Devin Smithers]

A small girl, no older then 10 years of age walked through the large manor's dark dreary hallways. It almost made her feel bad for her cousin, Sirius Black, for having to live in such a place. Almost that is. Oh yes, Mother talked about him all the time; how he had be placed in Gryffindor, how he hangs around with mudbloods and half bloods and all sorts of bloods far more then he did with purebloods. Of course little Narcissa had never met one before, but Mother had always described them to be terrible. Perhaps one day, I shall see one. I wonder if they are ugly? the little child thought to herself.

The hallway around the child soon filled with the sound of voices. Some laughing, some talking, others actually seemed rather bored or reluctant to be where they were. Narcissa didn't really mind parties, for she loved dressing up in her beautiful clothing of silk and lace. It always seemed like a game to her, like she was a beautiful princess off to a royal ball. Mother would brush her shimmering blonde hair, and sometimes even let her wear some of her make-up. She always wanted her to look her best and gave her pointers before they would leave. 'Now remember, don't look down at your feet while you walk and smile at anyone who greets you.'

The girl's small, delicately featured face popped up in the doorway as her eyes drank in the sight around her. There were beautiful decorations and lots of people, all dressed up to look their best. "Just like me." she said quietly to herself with a small smile spreading across her porcelain-like face.

Narcissa stepped into the room revealing her silky green dress that flounced around as she walked. Many of the faces here were familiar, but she couldn't really remember anyone's name. Just then she spotted none other then her big sister. She walked calmly over to her.

"You're not keeping score again are you?" she said with a bit of attitude, as she looked up at her sister's amused face. "I really don't see why you hate everyone in our family."

[Andromeda Black]

Andromeda blinked at Narcissa. "Umm, of course not." She grinned, reaching over to pat her sister on the head. She really did love the little girl's hair.
"What would make you think that? Besides, I only 'keep score' to amuse myself." Andromeda said thoughtfully, secretly hoping her sibling would not turn out to be a Slytherin. It would be priceless to see their mother's face when she got the news that all those years of prepping the little stuck up, yet cute git were wasted.

"Have you seen Sirius?" Andy asked suddenly as she gazed around the room, her hand still throbbing from being 'attacked'. "And I'm sure Regulus is someplace around here for you to play with. Even though he's probably--" Andy thought about the information she had obtained during school from her younger cousin when he admitted he was gay. "Umm... actually, nevermind. We'll find Sirius." Andy was not going to start explaining to the ten-year-old about their relatives preferences infront of his family during his father's birthday party.

"Come on, let's go..." Andromeda took a few steps forward, and then stood rooted in the spot as she stared at a certain person, Nirak Dragon to be exact.
"Sh... lookit!" Andy recovered quickly as she randomly pointed to a picture on the wall that seemed to just be... globs of color.
"What does that remind you of, 'Cissa?"
A very, very random question to ask a child, but oh well.
Wait a moment...
Andromeda looked a bit closer at the painting. It actually wasn't globs of color, but a man posing in his birthday suit in a flower garden, beaming at everyone in the room.
Andy grimaced. She just encouraged a ten-year-old to stare at... well... you know.

Sighing, Andy decided that anything that would help her escape being killed was looking good at the moment, even if it meant staring at the nude man on the wall.

[Jason Pattew]

((Maybe I should consider creating pure-bloods for once
Jason: Don't you dare...
Me: They could always be in Gryffindor.
Disembodied voice: Yeah right.
Me: -ish spooked- meep!!))

[CJ Jones]

The figure of the youngest Jones stood, leaning against the wall slightly, by Sirius. She was bored, she didn't want to be here, she was surrounded by foolish ex and current Slytherin's who were all Muggle hating pure-bloods and her favorite cousin hadn't even been invited. She was stuck in a house filled with distant relatives who obviously wouldn't approve of the fact that she was in Ravenclaw.

She sighed softly, her right hand running through her hair before she crossed both of her arms over her chest, concealing most of her light blue t-shirt that had, a few years back, belonged to one of her brothers. CJ crossed her legs in a rather irritating way, taking up quite a bit of floorspace where she stood, slouching and leaning against the wall and her permanently scruffy hair had fallen in her eyes. Her best friend Robyn was stuck at home with no one but her brother for company, her favorite cousin was 'a disgrace to the family name' and therefore had not been invited and she was stuck on her own at this party with no one to talk to.

At least, that was what she thought until she noticed the other figure that she was sharing the corner with. Sirius Black, the first and probably only Black to be placed in Gryffindor, much to his families disliking. She smiled softly, at least she wasn't the only one who didn't want to be here.

[Remus J. Lupin]

<sup>Nirak’s head jerked up, ears listening intently. If he wasn’t mistaken, he had just heard the voice of that little brat. The one who had kicked him, no less, since he knew a lot of ‘little brats’. He stared around, narrowed eyes slowly fixing on Andromeda and a little girl. He frowned. Why were they looking at /that/ picture for? He stood suddenly, striding forwards, towering over them both with a rather angry look on his tanned features. Yay for being tall! He ignored the little girl, eyes focusing on Andy instead.

“You,” he snarled, jabbing a finger at her. “You, you little b-” “LUCY!” A girl flung herself past Nirak, quite literally flying at Lucius, dark hair flying behind her. Nirak twitched. Oh no. It was that wench – Belinda! A huge clump of girls thundered past Nirak and Andromeda, all shrieking and squealing various names: ‘Lucy! Lucy-boy! Blonde-y!’ Anything that would make you cringe, or at least Lucius. Poor bloke.

ooc :: mwahaha, fangirls!</sup>

[Regulus Black]

((*Is in Colorado*))

The younger of the Black brothers had been making his way through the crowds, nodding to some, stopping to speak with others. He'd been trying to avoid Sirius, ever since that day in the library he'd been trying to aviod him. Which was easy because at home the two brothers paid no mind to each other.

"To many relatives..." he muttered as he finally got away from some kind of cousins. He sighed as he walked up to his brother and father. He gave Sirius a brief nod as he passed, then turned to his father, "Happy birthday father." He said with a smile.

He then turned to Sirius' retreating back and smirked, "C'mon Sirius...we're getting thristy!"


(Sorry its so short... Bah... writes block))