Written for the Ultimate Patronus Quest (moth: Write about fixing something that's broken)
Marius bites back a groan when he opens the door. "Ah, Dorea," he says dryly, stepping aside to allow her entry. "My darling big sister has finally remembered that I exist, I see. Or am I allowed to still call you my sister? I'm afraid I'm unsure where I stand these days."
Dorea sighs, pushing a hand through her dark hair. He can see a flicker of hurt in her eyes. Good. Marius can take some joy knowing that his words can wound her.
"Must you be so bitter, Marius?"
He rolls his eyes, closing the door as she enters. "Oh, who's bitter? Certainly not me," he says, sitting in his armchair by the fireplace. "Why would anyone be bitter after being blasted off the tapestry?"
"Marius-"
"Your father," he says, because he can't bring himself to use the words our father, to associate himself with the man who had thrown him out in the freezing cold, "told me that I'm easily the greatest shame of the House of Black. Your mother wept for me, of course, but she didn't lift a finger to stop him. Nor did you."
"I was fifteen!
"And I was eleven! I was just a boy, and I lost my family!"
For years, he had dreamt of a reunion with his favorite sister. He'd always imagined that they would embrace and talk over tea, and everything would be normal again. But the years have caused his anger to fester, and now he can't stop the words that pour out.
"You could have protected me! Father always loved you the most. If you had asked-"
He trails off. Traitorous tears fall from his eyes. Marius looks away quickly, furiously wiping at his eyes. He wishes that he wouldn't cry in front of her. He's already inferior to her as a Squib. But now he's proving his own weakness.
Dorea closes the distance between them, resting her hands gently on his shoulders. Marius closes his eyes. It's just like being a kid again and curling into his sister's arms for safety while his parents fought.
"I did ask," she whispers. "I begged Father to let you stay. I begged him to make an exception, to at least give you shelter. He told me that I would be the next to go if I stood by you. I- I was fifteen, but I was still just a kid, Marius. I was afraid."
He searches her voice for some falsehood, some indication that she's only saying what he wants to hear. But her words so soft, so sincere, so full of warmth, that Marius can't find a way to doubt her.
"I left when I was seventeen," she tells him. "I chose to marry out of love rather than duty. I'm not sure that Father has forgiven me for that yet."
Now Marius notices the ring on her finger. He takes her hand, marveling at the ruby resting upon the silver band. "A Gryffindor?" he chuckles.
"Charlus Potter," she confirms, a smile on her lips. "I searched for you the moment I left. Charlus used all of his resources. It took four years for someone to find you in Cardiff."
All of his anger melts away. She had never stopped loving him. She had never given up hope of finding him again.
Marius climbs to his feet, wrapping his arms around Dorea. She laughs, resting her head against his shoulder. "You don't have to be alone anymore," she says. "We can be a family again."
Family. It's such a simple word, but Marius has never realized how powerful it is. He feels the warm fluttering of hope in his stomach for the first time in years.
"I've forgotten what family is," he admits.
Dorea smiles and kisses his cheek. "Don't worry, little brother. I'll help you remember."