The family of darkness will be betrayed by their own children- the star children. It will begin with the second child, the brightest star. And then the light will spread to the youngest, who underestimates its light. The light will become so bright that it will surround the heir, and the House of Black will be lost.

Ministry of Magic Archives
Hall of Prophesy
January 13th, 1951

When the shouting began, Kitty Black didn't bother to look up from her embroidery. Her older brothers had just returned from Hogwarts, and her brother Sirius (who was only a year and a month older) had been arguing with their mother, Wallaburga Black, since his arrival.

"I will not have you fraternizing with halfbloods either!" Wallaburga's voice carried down the stairs. "I will never understand why you insist on spending your time with those sort of people!"

"Because they're my house!" Sirius yelled back angrily. "I'm a Gryffindor, whether you like it or not!"

"That's your own fault! And if you had any sense, you would spend your time with the purebloods whether or not they're in your house!"

"There are purebloods in my house. The only reason they're not in Slytherin is because none of them are pompous, selfish gits."

"Insolent brat!" Kitty stabbed her finger with the needle as Sirius's door slammed, dripping blood into the crest of the Most Noble House of Black. She scowled at the embroidery, which was now spotted with crimson red.

Wallaburga came stomping downstairs, her face softening slightly when she saw Kitty. "I'm sorry, Katherine. I simply don't understand why he fraternizes with such filth."

"Me neither." After all, everyone knew mudbloods were rude and uncivilized; besides, they were thieves. Wallaburga had confided to Kitty that mudbloods got their magic by stealing it from poor wizards that then became squibs.

"There's that Potter boy; he's a pureblood, but I've heard that the Potters are blood traitors. And then the Pettigrews are sniveling idiots- do you remember when they came to dinner? I'm certainly never inviting them again."

"And that Lupin boy," Kitty said, "isn't he a half-blood?"

"Yes, and there's a lot of mystery surrounding that family. He's no good; I'm sure of it. Keep away from him at school, Kitty."

"Of course, Mother."

"He's not still... friendly to that Evans girl?"

"I think he's mentioned her. Potter likes her, I believe."

"She's a mudblood." Wallaburga spit out the word like it tasted bad.

Kitty gasped. "And Sirius talks to her? Why?"

"I don't know." Wallaburga replied grimly. "He's never been able to accept the truth about these people."

"You don't have to worry about me, mother." Kitty said calmly. "I know where my loyalties lie."

Wallaburga nodded. "I know you do. Let's hope Sirius does too."

"What if he doesn't?" Kitty asked her. Wallaburga's face was grim as she turned to leave the room.

"If his loyalties don't lie with the House of Black, then he certainly won't bear its name, mark my words. If he continues, then he's no son of mine."

"And no brother of mine," Kitty echoed, the words seeming to weigh her down.

If Sirius truly was disowned, she would never be able to speak to him again. It would be like he had never existed.

But she would do it, even if it pained her to even think about. Because her name was Kitty Black and she would always be a pureblood.