Captivated by velvet

Chapter 8: Black vs. Black (accompanied by the blonde-haired idiot)
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Ch.8 Black vs. Black (accompanied by the blonde-haired idiot)





Sirius sat in his favorite black couch in the living room in the midst of an intense conversation with Remus. James, upon hearing that he would be going over to Lily’s for dinner just an hour before, had gone back into his room to mentally prepare himself for an evening of what he was sure would be torture. It was nearing 5:30 and James hadn’t even shown his face since hearing the news, and that was how Sirius and Remus found themselves waiting for him to come out of his bedroom.


“So Sirius, who is this Cody guy anyways? Do you remember which person he was at Hogwarts, because wasn’t there more than one Cody in our year?” Remus asked his friend, trying to ignore the fact that James still hadn’t joined them yet. He didn’t like being late.


“Well…I’m not exactly…” Sirius began before a new member in the room interrupted him.


“Orion.” James said from the doorway.


“I’m sorry?” Remus asked.


“Cody Orion. I think that’s who he is.” James explained.


“You mean you don’t even know who this guy is for sure, James? There was like 7 Cody’s in our year, mate. What if it’s someone else?” Sirius asked incredulously at his friend.


“Er…well Orion was the only one who had something going for him, if I were Lily I would pick him.” James said.


“Well if you were Lily, you’d be a girl.” Remus chimed up, causing Sirius to throw his head back and laugh like the child within him.


“You really know how to make a guy feel loved.” James said, before he laughed as well, “But anyways, what have you guys been doing while I was…er…getting ready.”


At this Sirius went into another fit of laughter before he regained his composure and answered James.


“Well, be proud of me Prongs. I just wrote the best song in the history of the world on your guitar. Yes, it’s quite the hit.” Sirius said, with a wicked grin now on his handsome face.


“It’s really not.” Remus said to James.


“Hey! I’m an artist now, and artists have feelings too!” Sirius stupidly said.


“The fact that no one understands you doesn’t make you an artist, Sirius.” Remus said bluntly. And without giving Sirius any time to come up with a witty comment, Remus went on, “It’s after 5:30 guys, we should head over to Lily’s now.”


James sprits immediately dropped as he sighed and nodded his head in agreement.


He definitely wasn’t looking forward to this dinner.


“It’ll be ok James, we’ll be there with you, if Cody does anything stupid, we’ve got your back no matter what. And besides, I think he mentioned that he was inviting some of his cousins over as well.” Sirius said as he stood up and started making his way to the stairs that led up to the front door.


Remus and James started following him until they reached the door where they all put their shoes on in silence. James had a determined look on his face as if he was preparing for battle. Remus opened the door, and they all walked out of the cabin in single file.


In no time at all they were already at the door to Lily’s cabin. Remus stopped right in front of it and rounded on James.


“Alright, this is it. Ready, James?” He asked.


“Just knock,” was all he could say.


“It’s just a girl, James.” Sirius said thinking that this would cheer James up for some unknown reason. James however didn’t say anything in reply but instead stepped in front of Remus and knocked on the door himself.


In less then a minute, the door slowly opened by a person that none of them expected to see ever again in their lives. Especially Sirius. This person had light blonde hair that looked perfectly taken care of and wore a look of disgust that matched Sirius’. No words needed to be shared, the boys already knew how they felt about the person standing in front of them, and were pretty sure that this person hated them equally back. It wasn’t the Cody they had expected to see. In fact, the thought that Lily would pick someone interconnected with Sirius’ family to be her husband never would have occurred to them in a million years. Never in two million years. After James and Sirius shared a knowing look, Sirius took a deep breath and tried to calm his emotions. But it was Remus who seemed to find his voice first.


“Malfoy?” He asked in complete disbelief.


“You were expecting another Cody I presume?” He said with an evident sneer.


“We were expecting anyone but you, you stupid git,” Sirius said in an angry voice.


“No need to insult me. I'm family now ever since Lucius married Narcissa. But I guess you weren't at the wedding, were you? And you also remember what happened last time you insulted family, don’t you? I’m not the blood-traitor here. But you might as well come in, I’ve got some of your favorite relatives upstairs whom I’m sure your just dying to see once more. After all, it has been a long time since they've seen your stupid face at a family reunion, Sirius,” Cody said with a smile on his face.


At this point James had to hold Sirius’ shoulders in order to keep him from lunging on his newfound cousin.


“Sirius, he’s not worth it. Let him keep digging his grave.” James said in a serious threatening voice.


“Ha, like you three could do anything to me,” Cody said in reply.


“Was it so painful the last time that you’ve erased it from your memory, Malfoy?” Sirius reminded him.


At this Malfoy just scowled at them, then remembering that putting other people down made him feel better about himself, he shifted his gaze from Sirius to Remus.


“You’re awfully quiet, is tonight a full moon?” He maliciously asked. It turned out that Severus Snape had informed him about Remus’ condition many years ago when they were leaving Hogwarts. But it came as no surprise to the marauders because they knew that Snape and Cody used to be inseparable friends.


“I was just trying to imagine you with a personality.” Remus said bluntly as he walked into Lily’s cabin.


Sirius and James followed in smiling as Cody closed the door muttering something about the dining room being upstairs before he left them alone.


“What the hell are the scum of the earth…or in other words my family…doing in Lily’s life? She can’t possibly love a Malfoy on her own accord,” Sirius said to his friends who were still in a little bit of shock.


“She picked him over me, guys. What does that tell you? Now this night is going to be even harder. For both of us Sirius,” James finished.


“He better not have upstairs who I think he has upstairs. I don’t think I can stand a night with any of my family members. I haven’t seen them for years, you guys, not since I ran away and they disowned me. I hate them,” Sirius pleaded.


“Look, we have to go upstairs. I’m sorry to both of you, but we promised Lily, and she’ll be expecting us right now,” Remus said then made to walk upstairs.


“Fine Moony. But if things get out of hand, know that it’s only because I’ve wanted to put that stupid git in his place for many years now,” Sirius said, then he too made his way over to the stairs.


James eventually followed and the three of them walked very slowly up to where they heard voices, and eventually walked into a big, expensive looking room with a set dining room table complete with red wine and appetizers.


“Oh God no,” Sirius said as he saw who the ‘relatives’ were that Cody had been referring to before.


“Hey bell, look who it is!” A woman with black hair almost the same shade of Sirius’ said to the girl with blonde hair to mimick Cody's who sat across from her. “I believe we owe Mr. Black here a royal welcome for finally showing his face into the family where he’s not wanted.”


“Sorry, I don’t deal with lesser life forms.” The other women said with a look of disgust on her face.


“Then why do you associate with this lot?” James said matching the look of disgust, and motioning around to Cody and Bellatrix.


At this point, Lily had now entered the room putting all of the plates on the table that she had filled of spaghetti. Not sensing anything was wrong, she immediately went over and gave Remus a hug, the only sensible marauder in her opinion, and briefly spared a hello to Sirius and James.


James, being altogether nervous about seeing the girl he had kissed earlier, made sure not to make eye contact with her. He knew that if he saw the eyes that he often dreamt about, he wouldn't be able to stay in the same room with her without longing to be together again. Lily, obviously thinking along the same lines, made her way straight for Cody without looking back once at James, wrapped an arm around his waist as if to tease, and putting on a forced smile, she addressed her company as if nothing was troubling her at all.


“Food’s on the table everyone. James, Sirius and Remus, you guys can sit on this side of the table. And Cody, Bellatrix and Narcissa, we’re on the other side. I’m just going to finish the salad, and then we can eat.” Lily said with a cheery attitude. Probably the only happy person in the room at this point. Even if it was a forced happiness, it was more then she could say for anyone else.


James just stood there staring at her the whole time, and was the only one to sit down when she left the room. Bellatrix and Narcissa however turned to Sirius one more time ready to start again with the insults.


“Still single, Sirius? Could’ve guessed that. They do say that opposites attract, so I hope you find someone with a family that loves them, and who has real friends.” Bellatrix started.


“Well in that case, I sincerely hope you meet somebody who is attractive, honest, intelligent, and cultured. They’d be your true opposite for sure.” Sirius shot right back. He would never take an insult lying down, especially from the family who disgusted him. His own.


“Oh why don’t you just shut your mouth Sirius. No one wants to hear anything you have to say,” Cody said, as he too sat down so that now it was him and James at the table.


“I think everyone’s wondering how you got Lily to love you, why don’t you tell us the story Cody,” Sirius asked with a raised an eyebrow.


“I guess I, unlike some people, know how to keep my girl liking me,” He spat out, clearly directed at James.


“Look! Lily loved me all right, and I didn’t have to force her too. Ever. If you are or have ever done anything to make her go against her free will, you’ll be sorry Cody. Lily deserves better. You’re just with her to get revenge on me, aren’t you? All those times we cursed you at school, you finally just had enough. You thought you’d just take the girl I loved, right? You’re sick Cody,” James said to the person sitting across from him who he hated at the moment more then anyone he’d ever known in his life.


“You think I care what you think of me, Potter? I have what you want, and that fact alone makes me want to stay with your precious Evans. She’ll never go back to you, I promise you,” Cody said.


Just as he had finished promising, Lily walked back into the room carrying the salad, placed it on the table and then sat down. After getting everyone else to take their seats, they started eating in silence, and it was then that Lily noticed the tension in the room and the look of hate on Sirius and James’ faces. Trying to break the tension, she looked around for a conversation starter and noticing the milk, desperately tried to get one started.


“Has anyone noticed that the more you think about things, the weirder they seem? I mean take this milk for example. Why do we drink cow milk? I mean who was the first guy who looked at a cow and said, ‘ hmm, I think I’ll drink whatever comes out of these things when I squeeze ‘em!’ Seriously though.” She finished, starting to laugh, after talking maybe a little too fast.


Remus immediately started laughing, and was soon followed by James and Sirius. Cody and the Black sisters however didn’t even crack a smile. Lily gave them a questioning look before James started with a theory of his own.


“Or how about the differences between women and men? I mean when women are depressed they eat chocolate or go shopping, right? Men, like, invade another country. It’s a whole different way of thinking.” He finished with a smile.


Lily and the marauders again started laughing at James. But this time as the rest just stood there glaring at James, Lily spoke to them.


“What’s wrong with you guys? You could at least make an effort with our company. I mean you’re about as interesting as watching paint dry.” She said, then looked at Cody, “And you! This was your idea in the first place.”


It was Bellatrix who spoke first.


“God Evans calm down, don’t be so annoying,” She said as she glared at her.


“You can’t talk to her like that,” Sirius said instantly to his cousin.


“Oh shut up Black, no one asked you.” Bellatrix replied as if waiting for the moment when she could insult Sirius again.


“You better be careful Bell, because friends have the same enemies. And Lily is our friend,” he shot right back.


“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked stupidly.


“Honestly, she’s not the brightest crayon in the box is she Sirius?” James asked his friend who was currently on a role.


“I’d have to say she’s a dull grey actually,” he replied, causing Lily to smile, even if she didn’t want too.


“It must be your sole purpose in life to serve as a warning to others, am I right Sirius?” Narcissa spoke up.


“Just don’t talk.” Sirius said coldly.


And with that, the smile on Lily’s face had completely vanished.


“Alright enough! I don’t know what’s going on here, but it’s going to stop. Sirius and Bellatrix stop fighting right now! You sound like you’re still at Hogwarts, how could you have not grown up already? I’m going to get dessert and when I come back I want civilized conversation. Why am I not surprised that Remus is the only one being appropriate here!” Lily said angrily before getting up from the table and walking very fast into the kitchen.


Out of habit, James made to follow her, but was stopped when Cody stood up quicker and said that he would go and talk to her. As James sat back down, what followed was the most intense silence the marauders had been a part of in a long time. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Remus spoke;


“So I guess we all know why some mammals eat their children, eh? You Blacks must have been a joy at family get-togethers when you were younger,” Remus said.


“Remus don’t,” Sirius said quietly.


“Why silence your friend Sirius? Ashamed of your childhood? I would be too if I were you, you brought shame to the family. I even believe you’ve been removed from the family tapestry,” Bellatrix spat out at the person she had once loved when they had been young kids.


“Good. I’d rather be off of it, then have people think I’m related to idiots like you,” he said.


And so it went on like this while Lily and Cody were having their own problems in the kitchen.



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“Tell you’re cousins to lay off Sirius!” Lily yelled at Cody.


“He can take care of himself Lils. And besides, they're his cousins too,” Cody replied.


“Don’t call me Lils,” she said coldly.


At this, Cody left the kitchen to find his suitcase that he had brought earlier that day. He reached inside of it and pulled out a vial of red liquid that he had gotten from Severus to use on James. It reminded Cody of the last day of Hogwarts when he had gotten James to unknowingly drink it then. And it had worked perfectly, as James had instantly become infatuated with the first girl he saw. As Cody walked back into the kitchen to slip it into James’ drink, he felt confident that it would work this time. The only problem was that the girl James would have to become infatuated with would be one of the Black’s. And James hated them. But Cody had no other option, as he felt that he had to convince Lily that James was over her and didn’t care for her anymore.


So with that thought in mind, Cody secretly poured some of the liquid into the glass that he would serve to James, waited for it to mix in, then grabbed a couple more glasses and headed, (with Lily’s help), carrying the 7 glasses into the dining room to find Sirius and Bellatrix still at each others throats. After placing the right cup in front of James, he asked Lily to go back into the other room to finish getting the dessert ready so that James wouldn’t see her after he had taken a sip of the secret potion.


After Lily left the room, Cody was interrupted from his thoughts by the end of Sirius’ sentence that was unsurprisingly directed at Bellatrix.


“…Why don't you just open your mind and shut your mouth, both are empty anyway!”


Well that  did shut the Black sisters up.


James and Sirius spared a glance at each other before shaking their heads and rolling their eyes. Ever since the first train ride to Hogwarts they had hated these girls together, and never missed an opportunity to show them up or embarrass them. Cody had also been on their list of people to prank, as he hung out with Snape all of the time, and soon started insulting the marauders whenever he saw them. Yes they were enemies from day one, and nothing was going to change that fact.


Nothing. For they had made an oath that could not be broken. But the feelings were mutual as the hate ran deep inside of them. And in Sirius’ case, through his veins.


Cody, never taking his eyes off of the boy in front of him, smiled as James brought his glass up to his lips…









A/N To clear things up...Cody is Lucius' brother, (this is complete fiction, and not in-canon by the way). So when Lucius married Narcissa (sister of Bellatrix and cousin to the blacks)...he became part of Sirius' family. Hope you liked it!