Prologue
For the past week, the weather had taken its toll on every poor soul. Rather than bringing rainbows - the rain brought squelching mud and soggy umbrellas. However, by the end of the dull and colourless week, an overwhelming wave of heat had swept through, confusing people as they demanded mother nature to 'make up her mind.'
A blonde woman, in wealthy robes, strolled through each room of her 'beloved' home. A gathering was in full swing and had her socialising with a large number of purebloods, while her sons ran amongst her feet interacting with the other children both their age, younger and older.
The light chit chat and the serving of luxurious canapes had the guest's well entertained and kept Walburga Black's reputation in check.
She found herself strolling the long hall, before making a quick escape to the enclosed back garden- were further guests drank fine wines in the warmth of the sun.
"Ah, Jonathan White, It's good to see you again," The woman addressed a man dressed in a black pin-striped suit. His dark hair was combed back, for he presented himself well- the only concerning thing about his appearance was the deep frown he was trying to hide, causing him to look as if he was in pain.
He held a small child in his arms, she had bright blue eyes and light blonde hair. She continued to wriggle in Jonathan's arms, causing her baby blue, frilly dress to rise up her chubby legs.
"Walburga," he greeted, "As it is you." He spoke carefully, knowing full well this woman was most likely to question him the way she did in
their last encounter. Whether it be his parenting style; his views on supremacy or why he even bothered to marry his 'poor' wife to begin with- she would find a way to make the man feel uncomfortable.
"Where is Euphrosyne, if you're here I expect it's because you were dragged along."
"Rosie is sorting the girls out- she won't be a moment," he gave her a polite smile, "the twins have been acting up against their older sister."
The woman tilted her head upwards, already in disapproval of the man: "Well, you wouldn't have that problem if you disciplined them more often. How old is your eldest again?"
"Err, nine," he hesitated.
Walburga slowly nodded thinking something over, "May I meet her, Is she here?" She quickly looked around the back garden from where she was standing.
"Well, I-"but before Jonathan could give her a full reply, she had spotted Rose scolding two girls who hid behind a tree, closer to the bottom of the garden.
They wore matching floral dresses with different coloured ribbons in their frizzy brunette hair, with matching green eyes they were the spitting image of their mother.
Just below the tree sat a third girl in a white knee length dress, reading a rather large book. Her blonde hair was braided into a crown, displaying the most beautiful flowers in pinks and whites. She looked like her grandmother on her father's side, a woman who had never had the approval of the Blacks, although they put up with her for the sake of being in with the crowd.
Walburga ultimately ditched Jonathan, who was trailing behind trying to stop the woman from interfering; shifting the small child from one hip to the other, as he chased after the woman.
"Rose!" She shouted out to the mother, who turned with a gentle smile.
"Walburga!" she greeted.
While the two quickly caught up, they didn't notice the little girl in the white dress stretch her legs out.
From there, the twins ran and tripped plummeting to the ground with an 'oof' grabbing the attention of their mother and the mistress of the house.
"Callie!" the mother hissed, causing the blonde to look up: a face black of expression, but full of innocence. "What have I told you about tripping your sisters up?"
The girl continued to make eye contact with her mother, expressing no change in emotion neither uttering a word.
"Just leave her be dear," Jonathan placed a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder.
The woman sighed, "Walburga, you've met my girls have you not?"
"Not in a long time," the woman turned her attention to Callie who had gone back to reading her book.
"Well, as you can see, Calliope is still the mute one." She gave a disappointed smile. "And the twins never seem to be able to sit still!" she squealed as they ran past knocking into her. "And we are yet to discover more about this little one," Rose took the smallest child from her husband, "little Terpsichore is our newest addition."
Mrs Black caught the blue eyes of little Chore, who giggle at the woman.
The twins stopped just in front of their parents and their hostess.
"Hello!" they curtsied together.
"Thalia," Smiled the twin with the pink ribbon.
"And Melpomene," grinned the other with the purple one.
"What a pleasure it is to meet you, miss."
Mrs Black felt a little overwhelmed by the White siblings. If these were the best the wizarding world could cough up for royalty- she had no idea what to make of it.
The twins seemed polite and although high on energy, they had the courtesy to introduce themselves. As for their eldest, Walburga was thinking something along the lines of: 'give her a week with me, and she will speak when spoken too.' There wasn't much the woman could make of the toddler, she wasn't old enough to do things for herself just yet.
She attempted to provide them with a welcoming smile. I said attempted...
"Have you met my sons yet girls?" she pointed back towards the house, no doubt where Sirius and Regulus were causing havoc among guests.
The twins giggled as their mother gave them a nod of approval, before they took off, running off towards the house.
"Callie?" Mrs Black tried to grab the attention of the girl who continued to be engrossed in her book, not daring to follow her sisters into trouble.
Being the stubborn girl she was- she ignored the new stranger, not quite calling her an acquaintance because that would mean she was fine with being in her presence, and she was currently not liking it one bit.
"Would you like to join your sisters inside?" Calliope looked up at the woman, slamming her book shut and causing the adults to slightly jump. She stood up placing her book under her arm, turning in her father's direction.
She began moving her hands around in a flurry, making small signals. Jonathan nodded along in understanding. She finished breathing heavily in frustration, with the tips of her fingers together in a roof shape.
"Very well." Her father gave her a small smile as he tapped his heart.
With one last glance in her mother's direction, Calliope took off. She strolled through the hallway until she came across the stairs.
"Never was one to cry when she was a baby," Rose told Walburga, "Never one for speaking in general."
"Mute suits her," Walburga confessed, "She can't question you."
Callie had made her way past guests and into the Black's library. Inside she found her grandmother perched on the seat of an old armchair, surrounded by a small number of children including Calliope's sisters.
Calliope entered through the door, quietly taking a seat behind the Black siblings. She crossed her legs and rested her closed book upon her knees.
The old women stopped talking for a moment to acknowledge her grandchild, "Callie, my dear, it's so good of you to join us."
Callie just bowed her head in reply, as the faces of many her age, older and younger turned to see the peculiar girl.
"I like your hair," Narcissa Black whispered, mesmerised by the flowers.
Callies' lips turned up in a shy smile. "You chose rather pretty flowers today," her grandmother agreed, "Are there more back home?"
The grandchild nodded, as she was interrupted by her own sibling: "Of course Grandma, what else would you catch little miss perfect doing if it's not a tea party," mocked Thalia.
"It has to be tending the flower beds on the front lawn!" Melpomene added, laughing along with her twin.
"Tea parties are for babies!" Shrilled Bellatrix as she joined the twins in their antics against the eldest White sibling
"That's enough all of you," Grandma White frowned, "Leave the poor girl alone."
Callie raised her hand to her chin pulling it away in thanks, before she walked her fingers up her arms.
The old woman sighed, "Did you not want to stay for tea?"
She shook her head, standing up with her book in her arms, ready to leave.
"Very well," the woman heaved as she brought herself to standing, "We will have to call it a day my dears, Callie must be escorted home."
The children groaned and whined in disapproval. "Now, now," she chuckled, "We can finish the story another day."
"But we were so close to the end!" a small Regulus exclaimed.
"And dinner's almost ready, a fine time to stop and take a break,"
The old woman took callie by the hand and lead her out of the room. "But what happened to the silent princess?" Sirius whined just catching the ears.
"That is a story for another day," she called back up the stairs before exciting the house with child who looked overwhelmed and just about to break down.