Sirius Black and the mystery of the Whomping Willow

A/N First of all this is not my story, this story belongs to Lakritze but I have taken the liberty of translating the story into English as I have found none available.

Original German Version: s/6989729/1/Sirius-Black-und-das-Geheimnis-der-Peitschenden-Weide

I do not yet have the Authors permission to post a translation of this story so until further notice I will only be posting the first chapter, I hope you enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I own neither the world of Harry Potter nor this story.

Prologue

He was eight years old and his parents walked to the Festival Hall. His brother Regulus was seven years old and was holding on to his mother's hand, Walburga Black. His father, Orion Black had placed his hand on his head and met the audience with his usual dazzling smile.

All in the hall were dressed festively: The men wore rather dark, simple robes, the women long, elegant dresses that emphasized the color of her eyes.

A blonde woman broke away from the crowd and came toward them: Mrs Malfoy, the hostess. She greeted them politely and offered them something to drink. The other guests gave the Blacks respectful glances; they were the oldest pureblood family of Britain - or even just among those gathered there.

Sirius received special attention. After all, he was the heir of the Blacks. His parents presented him with pride so Sirius smiled and shook hands and smiled and shook even more hands until his mouth hurt. Then they sent him and Regulus to the other children.

Lucius Malfoy sat with arrogant expression on his face. It was clear that he considered it entirely beneath his dignity to bother with the others. When he saw Sirius and Regulus, he greeted them, as befitted a member of the Black family. Thereafter, however, he ignored them.

Bellatrix, his eldest cousin, sat scowling in her chair and threw dirty looks at any who came too close to her. Presumably she was angry that she had been sent, despite her 16 years on the other children.

Andromeda gave Sirius and Regulus a warm smile. She was always very nice, but today she seemed to not be feeling well; between her eyebrows was a steep fold.

Narcissa, the youngest of three sisters stared dreamily into space and seemed to see nothing nor perceive anyone. With her blonde hair and blue eyes she looked like an expensive porcelain doll. Sirius found it a bit boring.

The two brothers welcomed the others, as was proper, took their seats and waited. There should be a modest three-course dinner before retiring to the comfortable and informal setting of the fireplace room to have a little chat with one another and to learn news. But it went on and on.

Sirius chatted with Andromeda, eventually though he wanted to get up and do something. Explore the house, go into the garden and hide or even better, play Quidditch. But unfortunately Andromeda did not want to come. Regulus also refused.

"Mother said we should conduct ourselves, and remain at the table," he said and sat obediently. So Sirius had no choice but to do something alone. It was just so boring! He could not sit still at the table all that time! His legs twitched, he shifted uneasily back and forth, his clothes were stiff and uncomfortable and he gazed longingly down the hall.

Without hesitation, he stood up and looked around for distraction. The adults did not heed him, they were too busy with themselves.

At a table he discovered appetizers that were waiting to be distributed among the guests. Sirius, who was slowly starving, emptied half a plate and walked on.

On a table by the wall stood a long line of fine crystal glasses. Sirius did not know it, but they were intended for a taste of Mr. Malfoy's oldest firewhiskey that should be served among the guests just before eating. Sirius pushed two glasses together. They gave out a long, clear sound. The sound pleased him. He repeated it a few times because he liked it so - then suddenly several things happened at once: Sirius tapped the first glass one more time, a little more than the times before. Mrs. Malfoy gave the signal for food. The first glass touched the second and again sounded the clear tone. In the air above the glasses several dust-covered bottles firewhiskey appeared out of nowhere. The first glass staggered back as the bottles with the firewhiskey bowed. The glass tipped forward again in the direction of the second glass. The golden whiskey flowed from the bottle and spilled out into the glasses. The first glass, suddenly filled with liquid, did not return to its original position, but fell against the second glass, which then fell into a dangerous angle. Perhaps everything would have gone well anyway when at exactly that second firewhiskey poured into the dangerously inclined glass and it was also brought down. After that, the chain reaction was unstoppable. Glass to glass fell with that very same tone, Sirius had so admired, interrupted by the clatter of the crystal glass shattering, and the splashing of the valuable Whiskey dripping onto the floor.

It was a beautifully awful cascade. Then as the last glass fell and shattered it was suddenly deathly quiet. All that could be heard was the dripping of the firewhiskey from the table to the floor. For a second guests and hosts alike stared in horror at the disaster, then all eyes turned to Sirius, who was still standing there with his hand raised and index finger out. When he noticed the telltale gesture, he hid his hand behind his back quickly, but of course it was far too late. Presumably there would be trouble.

Walburga Black was furious. The Malfoys had been extremely offended, although the powerful position of Blacks prevented them from giving their displeasure to the full, a lot of excuses and promises had been necessary in order to appease them. Too many!

And this disgrace! How could Sirius make himself look such a fool!. She still couldn't look into the eyes of the other members for shame. She, Walburga Black! It was a shame, a scandal, the heir of Blacks ...

Almost bursting with fury Walburga Black stepped out of the fireplace, Sirius behind her tugging on her skirts.

"How dare you?" She cried and gave her eldest son a slap that colored his cheeks flaming red. "How dare you to embarrass us like this? You've shamed the Black name!"

Again she reached out, hittin the boy on the other cheek, and leaving with her long nails four red scrapes as Sirius stared at her eyes big and wide.

"I'm sorry, Mother," he stammered. "I ... I didn't mean for anything to happen. I was just so bored and the glasses sounded so beautiful and then, then I ..."

He paused. He seemed too shocked to continue speaking or to notice the pain, the slaps had undoubtedly caused. But that, in her anger Walburga Black deemed untrue. She only saw that Sirius although caught in the act still denied it; that the boy had planned all this and run with full intention was for her unquestionable. But before she could beat Sirius again, Orion Black put his hand on her shoulder.

"Walburga, take Regulus to his room. I'll take care of Sirius. "

Regulus stood at his father's side and watched the scene with large, frightened eyes. As Walburga looked at him, her gaze softened. But the younger of the brothers was still scared.

"It was not me, mother," he said "no really. I was sitting at the table ..." he implored.

Walburga Black took him by the hand, stroked his hair and walked with him up the stairs.

"I know, my boy ..."

Orion Black threw his eldest son a stern look.

"I expect you in my office, Sirius."

Sirius swallowed. You were only called into the study if you had done something really bad. He hadn't planned anything naughty! It just all went wrong. For some reason this often happened when he was bored but no-one ever believed him. If he really played pranks, then he wasn't able to be caught. Like the time his Aunt and Mother thought he had taken the cat to the salon, devastating the whole room, but they had no proof (Which had still not prevented Walburga from punishing him)

Sirius gathered all his courage and knocked. His father called him in, leaning against the desk and rocking thoughtfully with his wand in his hand. His face looked very serious.

"Sirius, are you really clear about what you did?" He asked. Immediately the whole story gushed from Sirius about how boring it was and nobody had wanted to play with him and then he had found the glasses... His father wiped all this aside with a gesture.

"Sirius, it doesn't matter at all why you did it, intentional or not. The bottom line is that you did it. This must not happen again, you hear, Sirius? You must never do that again. Did you understand that?"

Sirius nodded.

"Did you understand that?" Orion Black repeated sharply.

"Yes, father," Sirius said loudly. His father nodded and leaned back as Sirius sighed with relief. The worst was over.

"Do you know why all this is so important?" Asked Orion Black. Sirius nodded.

"Because I am the heir of the most powerful, most ancient, pure-blood wizarding family. My job is to continue the line of Blacks, to multiply their power and to give honour to their name. The House of Black will always be measured against me, "he reeled out quickly.

"That's right, Sirius," his father agreed. "And I hope you eventually understand what is expected of you. You will go immediately to your room and stay there until your mother says otherwise tomorrow. You get no lunch, no dinner and no breakfast understood? "

Sirius nodded. He glad he had eaten so many appetizers.

"That is all. You may go."