Written for Daily HP Characters in Therapy Challenge (Day One: Write about a canon character who was either orphaned or separated from their family)
Dorea grips his hands, trying her best to smile. But Marius can see straight through it. His sister has always been terrible at playing pretend. "It's going to be okay, Mari," she whispers, but he can barely hear her as their father rages and their mother pleads.
"He's just a boy, Cygnus! He's our son!"
"I have no son, Violetta. That boy is the greatest shame the House of Black has ever produced!"
"What's going to happen to me?" Marius asks.
Much to his horror, his other sister takes it upon herself to answer. "Oh, terrible things happen to Squibs, Mari," Cassiopeia says gleefully, rubbing her hands together. "I hear Father plans to kill you."
"That's enough, Cassi," Dorea snaps, and their sister giggles. "Marius, whatever happens, we're still family. I promise, I'll-"
But the last of her promise is drowned out as their father bursts through the door, their mother on his heels. Marius cowers behind his sister, tears in his eyes. It isn't his fault. He hadn't meant to bring shame on the family.
"Father," Dorea says, but their father has no interest in her.
He grabs Marius roughly by the arm. "I hope you've said your goodbyes, boy," he growls. "This is the last day you'll cast your tainted shadow on these walls."
"Father, please!" Marius cries, trying to pull away, but his father's grip is too tight.
His father drags him from the room. Marius turns in time to see Dorea try to follow, but their mother stops her. "Best you don't see this, my love."
"Mother, do something!"
"There's nothing I can do. We're Blacks, Dorea. We have to preserve our bloodline."
Marius feels the tears fall from his eyes, warming his face. "Please," he says again, but he knows that it's no use.
His father opens the door, shoving Marius out into the street.
"Where will I go?" Marius asks. "I'm just a boy."
He's heard of other families sending their Squib children to more tolerant relatives or to orphanages. But he quickly realizes that he will not be granted such mercy.
"Wherever you please. It's no business of mine," he father says curtly before slamming the door in his face.
Marius waits for hours and hours, hoping that they will take pity on him. He had wanted to be magic. He had wanted to be just like Dorea and Cassiopeia. Surely they'll realize this and let him back in.
But the door never opens. Once, he sees Dorea appear in the window, but she's quickly pulled away.
With no choice left, Marius begins to walk the streets, afraid and alone, without so much as a Knut to his name or a friend to guide him.
He falls asleep in alley behind a bakery, and in his sleep, he cries for Dorea.