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first year,
christmas ball
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There wasn't much excitement at Grimmauld Place, Regulus stood in front of the mirror, trying to position his tie correctly. Sirius watched him struggle for a moment, before deciding to help him, he took Regulus' tie, wrapping it around his own neck to get the loop right. He lifted over his head, letting Regulus finish tying it himself.

"Thanks, you're more quiet than usual," Regulus said, Sirius looked at him, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I'm not, just another ball, same old stupid tradition," he muttered

"It's not stupid, it's the only time I get to see Narcissa and Andromeda," Regulus said, defending his mother's tradition.

"I see Bella wasn't mentioned," he smirked

"Well, she's isn't been the nicest cousin in the world," Regulus said, he chuckled. "Aimee Burke is coming too," he told him looking at him for his reaction.

"I know,"

"Are you going to dance with her?" he asked Sirius straightened his posture, shaking his head.

"Are you?" 

"Yeah, I invited her, and besides you get to see her all the time at school," Regulus said, he creased his brows at him,

"Jealous are we?" he smirked at his younger brother

"No, it's just I want to see her too," Regulus said, he laughed

"And what makes you think she'll want to dance with you?" he said, Regulus didn't respond but instead glared at his older brother.

They heard someone at their front door, they both rushed over to the window but sighed when they saw their cousin Bellatrix and her new husband Rodolphus Lestrange standing outside their house. The door to Regulus' room opened, Kreacher had come to inform them of Bellatrix's arrival, and that they should be expecting her sisters soon.

"Bellatrix, it's so wonderful to see you," Walburga embraced Bellatrix with open arms. Sirius and Regulus sat at the top of the stairs. Their mother's glare caught their eyes, she glanced over at Bellatrix, gesturing for them to come downstairs to greet her.

"They've grown haven't they," Bellatrix said, smiling down at her cousins

"It's not been that long, we saw you at your wedding," Sirius said, he could feel his mother's cold expression on her face.

Another knock at the door, distracted Walburga, from Bellatrix and Sirius. He glanced over rolling his eyes upon hearing Cygnus greet his sister Walburga with a hug. He watched as they all walked in, he watch his aunt warmingly greet Bellatrix, as Narcissa and Andromeda followed them inside. His eyes widened when he saw Aimee walk in behind them, she looked different, very different.

She looked beautiful.

***

She looked around Grimmauld Place, decorated for the Christmas ball, it certainly looks brighter than when she first came here. Walburga greeted Andromeda and Narcissa with a warm embrace, Walburga smiled at Aimee, she gestured for Sirius and Regulus to come forward and greet their guest.

"Hi Aimee you look pretty," Regulus said, smiling at her, Sirius rolled his eyes at him.

"Thank you," she looked at him in his suit, and green tie "you look very handsome" Regulus smiled at her, she turned to Sirius, she smiled at him, he smiled back quickly, avoiding his mother's gaze.

She walked with Narcissa and Andromeda to the back of the ballroom, Regulus and Sirius stood with them too, talking amongst themselves. Watching as the adults swayed to the sound of the music, dancing in their respected pairings. Andromeda and Narcissa watch as their sister danced with Rodolphus, Sirius kept glancing at Aimee as Regulus spoke with her.

"Have you made many friends at Hogwarts?" Regulus asked her, she tilted her head, thinking of what to say, their conversation finally catching his ears

"Not really, still looking at my options,"

"Are you and Sirius, not friends?" Regulus asked, she opened her mouth to speak

"Yes, we are, aren't we?" he asked, she smiled at him, then averted her eyes from him, back to the couples dancing, Bellatrix excused herself from her new husband, joining her sisters and cousins.

"Enjoying the dance are we?" Bellatrix asked

"What do you think?" Sirius told her, she glared at him, turning her attention to Aimee

"So Burke is it?" she nodded, "shame your parents couldn't come, I was most looking forward to meeting them," Bellatrix said, she bit the inside of her cheek, nodding her head lightly, Bellatrix spoke with so much confidence, she felt as though she couldn't speak freely around the older witch, Sirius watched the interaction closely.

An hour had gone by and the older wizards were well into the ball now, discussing their greatest achievements and goals. Bellatrix had told Rodolphus she wanted to see her sisters for a moment alone, so he would leave her be for a while. Though she had grown annoyed by Regulus constant rambling, she took out her wand.

"Oscausi!" Bellatrix cast, Regulus mouth sealed shut, so he couldn't speak. Sirius checked Regulus then glared at Bellatrix. 'This was what Sirius meant.' Aimee thought.

"Undo it now Bella!" he warned, pointing his finger at her.

"Why he was annoying," Bellatrix stated

"Undo the spell now, or I'll-

"You'll what? Cast one yourself?" Bellatrix taunted him, he lunged forward, Andromeda grabbed his arm, holding him back from causing a scene.

"Regulus is just a boy, now undo the spell," she warned her, Bellatrix sighed flicking her wand to undo the spell. Andromeda led Sirius out of the ballroom.

"Andy let go of me," he said, pulling his arm away from her.

"You need to calm down-

"Calm down!" he barked "She jinxed Reg-

"Yes and I'm going to talk to her," Andromeda said, "you want to stay downstairs don't you,"

"What makes you say that?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"Because if you didn't you would've found a way to annoy your parents by now," she sighed, "I know you, Sirius, you want to stay because Aimee is here, and you should she's a nice girl," she explained, he looked away from her, leaning on the wall near the staircase.

"Yes, she is nice and kind, she shouldn't be here, you know what our family is like-

"I do, I haven't brought a date, because our family wouldn't approve," he creased his brows at her.

"Approve? What do you mean?" he asked, she sighed, looking down the hall to the ballroom

"I'm dating someone, he's a wizard, I don't know if you will have seen him around school, Ted Tonks," Andromeda told him, he shook his head, "he's muggle-born," she admitted Sirius smiled at her.

"That's why you're my favourite cousin," he told her, "do you love him?"

"I do very much, he asked me to come and live with him after school that is," Andromeda told him, "but it means I won't see you again," his smile fell, if Andromeda's parents found out she was to move out and live with her muggle-born boyfriend, they would definitely disown her and he would be forbidden to speak to her.

"This family is not worth sacrificing your chance of happiness, if you love Ted then it shouldn't matter what our family does, as long as you're happy," he told her, she teared up, wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly. She wiped her eyes, trying not to smudge her make-up.

"We best get back before aunt Walburga becomes suspicious," she told him, she checked her make-up in the mirror, before walking back to the ballroom with Sirius. They snuck back into the ballroom, slipping in next to Regulus and Aimee.

"You alright Reg," Sirius asked, looking straight ahead,

"I'm fine, surprised you kept your cool," he told him, Sirius smirked, he turned his head, looking at Aimee,

"You sure look different," he told her, she smiled.

"You do too," Aimee commented looking over his suit and red tie. "Is it a good different?" she asked

"Yeah, but I like you as you are without all this," he said gesturing to her hair and make-up, "the dress suits you but you do look uncomfortable,"

"That's because I am," she said, shuffling her feet. "I don't like wearing dresses all the time, especially this elegant,"

"Maybe you just need a confidence boost," Sirius suggested, his smile fell when he saw his mother walking over to them.

"I expect you all to join in and dance, Narcissa your father says you invited Malfoy, aren't you going to ask him to dance?" Walburga asked, Narcissa nodded stepping forward to go and find Lucius. Bellatrix left to find Rodolphus to dance with, leaving Andromeda, Aimee, Sirius and Regulus.

***

Andromeda and Aimee watched as Narcissa and Bellatrix were twirled around by Lucius and Rodolphus, they were smiling so brightly, they were really enjoying themselves. Sirius glanced at Aimee through the corner of his eye, he opened his mouth to speak but Regulus beat him.

"Aimee, would you like to dance with me?" Regulus asked, she smiled at him, holding his hand out to her, Aimee took his hand in hers.

"The pleasure would be all mine," Aimee said, he lead her out to the dance floor, swinging her around bringing her closer to him, leading her in the dance. Thankfully, Lucius and Narcissa's dance lesson paid off she hadn't stepped on his toes.

"Sirius, I'd like to dance," Andromeda spoke

"So dance," he told her, gesturing to the dance floor

"Okay, but you're coming with me," she took his hand, dragging him to the floor to dance with her.

"No, Andy let go!" Sirius warned resisting her. Andromeda won, as he gave up, and walked with her to the dance floor, he smiled shaking his head at her. Aimee's laughter caught his attention, he looked over Andromeda's shoulders at Regulus and Aimee, he bit his lip as Regulus spun her around.

"Dance with her," Andromeda said, he shook his head.

"No,"

"Come on, you clearly want to," she told him, looking over at Regulus and Aimee dancing.

"No I don't," Sirius gritted his teeth.

"Fine then stop looking at her, it's rude to stare at people," she smiled at him, Sirius spun her around. Aimee smiled as Regulus spun her around.

"You're a good dancer," she told him, Regulus smiled at her.

"Thank you, you're not too bad yourself," Regulus commented on her dancing skills.

"Could we get a drink?" Aimee asked, feeling a little dizzy from all the spinning.

"Of course," Regulus said, he guided her towards a table filled with drinks and small cakes, she bit her lip looking over all the treats. Regulus and Aimee, looked behind them nobody was watching them, they each took a brownie to eat.

"I saw that," Sirius said, joining his brother and Aimee. She put her finger to her lips, shushing him, Andromeda walked gracefully towards them.

"Regulus, won't you offer me a dance," she asked, he nodded, wiping his hands, before escorting her to the dance floor. Sirius cursed under his breath 'she did that on purpose'

"Enjoying yourself," he asked, she nodded.

"Reg is a good dancer," she commented watching him dance with cousin, he looked at Aimee who smiled at Regulus and Andromeda, he looked down at his feet, glancing up at her.

"Miss Burke, would care for a dance?" he asked holding his hand out for her.

"I'd be honoured Mr Black," she smiled at him, taking his hand in hers, he guided her out onto the dance floor. He spun her around, bringing her close to him. She giggled, as he swayed to the music with her.

"What was that?" he questioned

"What?"

"That giggle," he smiled at her

"I didn't giggle," she avoided looking at him, looking over at Regulus dancing with Andromeda.

"Yes you did," he smirked at her, as she shook her head in disbelief, "Fine, you didn't giggle," she hummed "but you did," she stepped on his foot. He grunted.

"Oops I'm sorry, I'm a little clumsy," she said playfully, he rolled his eyes at her. Aimee saw Bellatrix dancing with her husband, she creased her brows.

"What are you looking at?" Sirius asked, spinning her around to see who she was looking at.

"It's not a happy marriage is it?" she asked him, he sighed, looking around to see if his parents or his aunt and uncle were in hearing distance.

"An arranged marriage is never a happy marriage," he told her, as he looked over at Bellatrix "Bella was never interested in anyone, so her parents made her marry him," he turned Aimee around to look at Narcissa and Lucius "now Cissy, on the other hand, she could choose to marry Malfoy one day and her parents would be pleased, but if she didn't they'd probably make her marry him anyway,"

"Why?" she asked, he spun her out then back into him.

"Lestrange and Malfoy are both purebloods," Sirius muttered, "they'll keep the line pure," he displayed a disgusted look on his face.

"What if Narcissa marries Lucius because she loves him?" she asked

"Then that would be different because they'll love each other," he told her, "if they chose to have children, it wouldn't be for the purpose of continuing a pureblood line,"

"What about Andromeda?" Aimee said "would they make her marry someone too?" she asked, he looked around him, taking her hand leading her off the dance floor, into the halls.

"Can I trust you?" he asked

"Of course," she waited for him to speak again.

"Andromeda has already found someone," Sirius said

"Really," Sirius covered her mouth to keep her quiet, "why didn't she invite him?" she whispered when he removed his hand.

"He's muggleborn, our family would deeply disapprove," he told her, she smiled at him, "what?"

"She's in love isn't she," Aimee asked, he nodded "so in love she'll defy her family,"

"You won't tell anyone will you?"

"No, of course not, it's like the perfect love story, forbidden lovers, separated by family," she said,

"What?" Sirius asked

"Many love stories are like that," Aimee told him, he smiled at her, her eyes wandered down him, settling on his red tie. She smiled at him. "Red really does suit you well," she said, he looked at his tie.

"Thanks," Sirius said, "We should get back before my mother comes looking for us," she nodded, letting him lead her back into the ballroom, though they stood at the side, watching as the rest of the guests danced, and enjoyed each others company.

While Aimee and Sirius just enjoyed being alone together, both feeling free to speak as they wanted. Sirius knew he could trust her, and she knew how he felt about their friendship, enough to trust her with someone personal to his cousin.

They were joined by Regulus who managed to sneak away, from his cousin's grasp, Andromeda was comfortably talking with her sisters. The three young wizards watched over the adults, critiquing some of their taste in company or fashion.

Regulus spotted Kreacher making his way around the edge of the ballroom, not to walk straight through and disturb his Mistress' ball. Kreacher reached Sirius, Regulus and Aimee, he handed her a letter that had just arrived.

"Thank you, sir," she said, Sirius and Regulus eyed her. She looked between the pair. "What?"

"You just called Kreacher sir," Sirius said, she creased her brows.

"Yes and? He still has feelings," Regulus smiled at her.

"I think Kreacher liked that you called him sir," Regulus said, gesturing to the elf who walked a little prouder than usual. "Who's the letter from?" he asked.

Dear Aimee,

I'm so sorry Starling, your mother and I aren't going to make it home tonight. I know this probably isn't how you wanted to spend Christmas, we hope to be back home tomorrow morning sometime.

Love you, Starling.

"Aimee, are you okay?" Regulus asked noticing her lip tremble. She ran out of the room, throwing the letter down on the floor, Sirius picked up the letter, reading through it.

"Her parents aren't coming back," he told Regulus, he ran after her while Regulus calmly approached his mother, explaining what happened.

Sirius hurried along the corridor, finding her sitting on the bottom of the stairs, her face buried in her knees, sobbing as she wiped her face on Narcissa's dress. Sirius cautiously walked up to her, she looked at him, shuffling over for him to sit with her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, she shook her head.

"They knew I didn't want to come here alone," she cried "they knew, Sirius. My father wanted me to have fun, which I have, but tomorrow is Christmas day, and I'm going to wake up in a strange place, all alone- I jus-" she struggled to breath "I just want-

"I know," he wrapped his arms around her, he held her close to him, letting her cry into his chest, trying to calm her down best he could, her breathing began to settle, but he still held her close.

"Do you know what makes it worse," Aimee said, sniffling, "I expect this from my mother not my father," she mumbled, into his chest. Sirius didn't know what he could say to comfort her. "Your so lucky you have Regulus,"

"I couldn't imagine being an only child, like you," he told her. Regulus walked back towards them with his mother, not far behind him.

"But I'm-

"Miss Bur- Aimee," Walburga spoke, interrupting her, she looked up at her, wiping her face. Realising that her make-up had smudged onto her hands. "Regulus told me about your parents, if you don't want to be alone, you're welcome to stay here," she nodded

"Thank you," she said, almost too quiet for her to hear.

"Sirius why don't you help her get cleaned up," Walburga told him,

He helped her upstairs, they walked along the hall, reaching the bathroom, he left her there for a second, she looked in the mirror disgusted with herself, for causing such a scene. Even if no one else noticed it. Sirius came back with a shirt and shorts.

"Here, you can change into these," Sirius handed her some of his clothes.

"Thanks, I'm sorry I caused such a problem,"

"You didn't cause a problem you were upset," he said, trying to make her feel better about it.

"Look at me," she said, holding her hands out. "This isn't me, the ball gown as beautiful as it is, it isn't me, I can't stand my hair like this," She said, bunching her hair in her fingers. "And the make-up, I cried so much that it's all over your shirt," she said, looking at the marks on his white shirt.

"It's fine," he smiled at her, "I'll wait outside," he said, leaving her to get changed, she felt bad after seeing the marks all over Narcissa's dress, she slipped the dress off, pulling the shirt over her head, it was much too big for her. She had to tie the shorts so they would fit her. Aimee walked out of the bathroom. Sirius smiled at her, looking her up and down.

"What is it?" 

"Nothing, you look like you again," he said, she smiled at him, he walked to Regulus' room

"Why can't we go to your room?" she asked, he thought for a moment.

"Sure we can go in my room," he opened his door, Sirius' room was much different to Regulus, filled red and gold decorations, most likely put up after he was sorted into Gryffindor. "It's a little messy,"

"No, it's fine, who is that?" she asked, looking at his posters.

"That is Stevie Wonder," Sirius told her, he pulled out one of his records from under his bed, walking over to put it in his record player.

"Won't your mother be mad?" he smiled

"She's too preoccupied with her ball, to be bothered with what I'm doing up here," he said, he played the song, her face lit up.

"I know this song," he creased his brows

"You do?"

"Yeah, it's My Cherie Amour, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is, dance with me, not properly," he asked, she shook her head, he pulled her off his bed clumsily swinging her around. He threw his head back singing along to the song, Aimee chuckled at him.

"Pretty little one that I adore!" he sang loudly, she laughed at him. "What?" he asked smiling at her.

"Do you do this often?" she asked "Dance around and sing at the top of your lungs,"

"Only when I want to piss mummy off," he said smirking at her. She wrapped her arms around hugging him tightly, he hesitantly hugged her, resting his chin on her head.

"Thank you, for being my friend tonight," she said, he held her arms causing her to look up at him.

"Your my friend Aimee, and not just for tonight," As the ball had come to an end, Sirius and Aimee watched as the guest left Grimmauld Place from his bedroom window. He turned off his record player as Kreacher knocked on his door.

"Miss Burke, Kreacher has prepared a bedroom for you," he said, she followed the elf to a bedroom further down the hall. As Kreacher opened the door she noted that the room had just been cleaned for her.

"You didn't have to clean up for me," Aimee told Kreacher

"Miss was kind to Kreacher, Kreacher kind to Miss," he said, she smiled at him, Kreacher left closing the door for her.

Aimee laid in bed, she glanced up at the clock hung on the wall, 11:30 PM, Christmas day would be in thirty minutes, she decided to stay up a little while longer. Aimee watched the last minute waiting until the clock struck midnight.

"Merry Christmas boys," she mumbled, she turned over in the bed, closing her eyes, but the creek of her door opening woke her up. She spun over, drawing her fist back.

"Woah, easy it's me," Sirius said, she sighed as she held her fist up, preparing to punch whoever came in. She glanced at Regulus who stood beside him holding back a laugh.

"What are you doing here? I didn't even hear you coming"

"We've mastered, not stepping on creaking floor broads," Regulus told her.

"You didn't answer my question," she said, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"We couldn't sleep, figured you'd still be awake," Sirius told her,

"Also we wanted to give you your Christmas present," Regulus said, handing her a green box with a silver ribbon tied around it. "It's from both of us," she smiled at them opening it, it was a book titled 'Chasing Chasers' a quidditch book.

"Thank you," she stood up to hug them both. "I have something for you too," she looked through her bag, "I didn't wrap them in case they got ruined," She handed them two canvas paintings, they looked at one another confused.

"Erm thanks," Sirius said, looking at Regulus.

"I can't believe you two," She placed her hands on her hips, "both named after stars and you don't even recognise their constellations," they took another look at the painting, she took Sirius' painting.

"The red one is the dog star, known as Sirius," she explained, he gazed at her rather than the painting. "The gold one is Orion and I painted it on a black canvas so-

"Sirius Orion Black," he finished her sentence,

"Exactly, same with yours too, Regulus from the Leo constellation is green, Arcturus is in silver and again on a black canvas making Regulus Arcturus Black," he hugged her, she hugged him back,

"Thank you, if you don't mind I'm a little tired," Regulus walked to the door, he eyed Sirius expecting him to leave with him, "Goodnight Aimee,"

"Goodnight Reg," she smiled at him, once he closed the door, Sirius sighed.

"Thank Merlin, he's gone, now I can give you this," he held another present for her

"I thought-

"Reg got you the quidditch book he put my name on it in case I didn't get you anything," he explained, she sat on the bed, he sat beside her while she unwrapped the present. Her mouth fell open curving into a smile 'The Hobbit'

"To replace the one I ruined," he said,

"Thank you, Sirius, I love it," she threw her arms around him,

"It's a new edition too," 

"You didn't have to-

"I know, but you had notes in your old one, you can't get them back," Sirius smiled at her, he shuffled his feet, "I think, I best get back to my room," she nodded

"Yeah, see you in the morning," he left her room, he leaned on her door, smiling to himself, he thought he was alone but a voice broke the silence.

"What are you smiling at?" Regulus asked from his bedroom door. "Got a little crush on Aimee," he teased.

"No,"

"I saw how you were looking at her,"

"I don't have a crush on her, she was really upset tonight, I'm glad our present cheered her up," he replied.

"Whatever," Regulus shut his door, Sirius rolled his eyes walking back to his room. No going back now. Sirius Black and Aimee Burke were friends.