November 1976

Sirius decided that he'd find Bella after dinner to talk her. He desperately wanted to know his sister now that she was here. All of the pent up resentment melted away as soon as he saw her and realized that he'd been the one ignoring her. He's the reason she wasn't in his life. He counted down the minutes until the feast ended and as soon as he saw her leaving with Amos and a the other Hufflepuff prefect named Julia, he leapt out of his seat. Sirius didn't notice that Regulus too was sprinting after her and he didn't notice until Regulus practically tackled her in a hug.

"Mum and dad are gonna kill you. Why'd you have to be sorted into Hufflepuff, they're gonna hurt you again." He said, his head buried in her shoulder. His voice came out weak and scared like he was saying goodbye. He probably was saying goodbye, Regulus had no doubts in his mind that Walaburga and Orion were going to disown her. Once Bella recovered from the shock that Regulus had actually acknowledged her presence she hugged him back as tightly as she could.

"It'll be okay little star, I'll be fine. It'll all be fine in the end." Amos and Julia decided they shouldn't watch any longer and walked away. Sirius was dumbfounded. This was the most distraught he'd ever seen his little brother and he didn't know how to process it. Bella was still speaking softly to Regulus, reassuring him that she'd be fine even though she was terrified herself. The girl hadn't exchanged words with her little brother in years but he'd always been there to patch up her cuts and she'd never forget that. Bella would make sure that Regulus was okay just as he had done to her. She had thought back to all the times where she had done something ever so slightly different to Walaburga's plan. They had all ended in broken bones, scars, or hexes cast her way. Bella couldn't return home that summer. They'd most likely kill her or send her off to somewhere terrible.

Neither Bella nor Regulus realized they were crying until they let go of the hug and Sirius didn't recognize the stinging feeling in his eyes. When Bella finally looked over her shoulder and noticed her twin a new round of tears made their way to her eyes. There was nothing she could do but look at him, taking in every feature of his. He looked different than what she remembered. He looked tired, like he hadn't slept for days: and maybe he hadn't. Sirius slowly stepped towards her. His eyes scanning the scar that ran along her face, the way her hair was clipped so it didn't fall in her face. He couldn't help but compare her features to his own. Sirius stoped when he was a foot away from her, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her into an embrace. That's when she broke. Tears rapidly rolled down her cheeks, soaking into his shirt but neither of them cared.

"You can't go back to that house Anna. You can't. They hate Hufflepuff even more than Gryffindor. Please tell me you're not going back there." Sirius begged.

"I have to. I have no where else to go Sirius. I used to be able to sneak off to my friends but Mum and Dad will never let me out of their sight now. They hate me and this just gives them more reason to. I'm as good as gone." Sirius didn't reply but he tightened his grip around her shoulders. He had no intention of letting go because he thought if he did then she might fade away again.

"Why are you here Anna. Why aren't you in France."

"I got attacked. Mum and Dad were furious that I let it happen. They were so angry Sirius, it was terrifying."

"If you're so scared of them then leave, I did it and I'm fine."

"Sirius it's different with me. It's not just them who'd be angry if I left the Black household. I-Im betrothed. Walaburga and Orion told me when they pulled me out of school. I'm meant to be married in August and I can't back out or he'll hurt me. He's powerful and I don't want to mess with someone like him."

"Who are you going to marry?" This time it was Regulus speaking, concern evident in his eyes.

"Lucius Malfoy."

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