Author's Note: Thanks to Sam and Laura for helping me plot, and Bex for betaing!

Written for…

Hogwarts Assignment #3. Lesson: Mythology. Task: Write about someone trying to save their marriage.

Play More Cards Challenge. Prompt: write about someone from the Black Family

(Writing Club) Book Club. Prompts: challenging someone, stand, consequence

365 Prompt Challenge. Prompt: "I find that answer vague and unconvincing."

(Writing Club) Days of the Month. Prompt: Write about a married couple

(Writing Club) Character Appreciation. Prompt: Write about a fight

Lent Challenge. Prompt: Write about someone being exiled

Insane Prompt Challenge. Prompt: (Trait) Family-Oriented

(Writing Club) Amber's Attic. Prompt: Ursula Flint-Black

(Writing Club) Lyric Alley. Prompt: I'm a little bit angry

Serpent Day Challenge. Prompt: Hollow

(Writing Club) Showtime. Prompt: Steal

Lonely Hearts

1,233 words

The house was quieter than it had been in eighteen years, Ursula was sure. She couldn't remember the last time she'd so clearly heard the ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room, or the crackling of a burning log, but these things were deafening now.

It was still early in the evening, but with her thoughts clouded by misery, she decided it best to retire.

She checked on each of her children in turn as she made her way down the long corridor. Cygnus was sat up at his desk, studying from a large tome, and paid no attention to Ursula as she passed by.

Belvina's sobs could be heard through the closed door and, although Ursula wanted to comfort her only daughter, she knew it was best she leave the girl alone. She herself had already spent hours weeping and would no doubt start again soon.

Arcturus was lying still on his bed, still fully clothed and staring up at the ceiling with his dark grey eyes. The eighteen-year-old didn't blink when she called his name, nor show any sign that he could hear her. She silently closed the door and moved on, ignoring the pain she felt at seeing her son in such a state.

She stopped briefly at the next door, placing a hand to the knob. It had once been her firstborn's room, before Sirius grew and married. Now he lived across the country with his own family and she rarely saw him. The room had been given to Phin after that … but now it was empty. Hollow, echoing how she'd felt for the past three days.

Her husband was already in bed, unusual for such an hour. He was sat up with a book and didn't look her way once as she changed and slid in beside him.

Ursula hesitated in rolling onto her side. It had been three days since they'd spoken, the longest in their thirty years of marriage. Even when Phineas was away at Hogwarts, they would write or Floo each other daily. And yet here they were, a few inches apart, unable to think of a kind word to say to each other.

As if sensing her struggle, he sighed deeply and set down his book.

"Do not put the blame on me, Ursula. This is not my fault."

"Then whose fault is it?" She eyed him. "Elladora?"

"Yes. The boy-"

"Our son, Phineas."

"The boy made his own choices. He knew what he was doing."

Ursula scoffed, throwing back the covers. "I find that answer vague and unconvincing." She began to pace the room, too angry to sit still. "He's just a boy, and Elladora thinks he's some sort of deviant."

"He's sympathizing with Muggles, Ursula. He's lost his mind."

"He took a class. That doesn't mean that he's going to run off with some Mudblood girl and live amongst them. We've known about it for five years, but suddenly it's a problem because Ella's found out." She glared at her husband but Phineas refused to look at her. "You're a coward."

That seemed to get his attention. Phineas was slow to anger, but insult his character and he was irate. He was out of bed in a flash and standing before her, face red with anger.

"This is not my fault!" he thundered.

"No, of course not. You've just let your sister ruin our family and steal our son away over a small indiscretion." Ursula felt the tears prick her eyes and wiped them away quickly. "Have you seen your children? Do you hear Belvina crying every night? Can you even imagine how Arcturus must be feeling right now?"

"I am just as upset about this as you are."

"It's his twin, Phineas. You've forced them apart for the rest of their lives because you're too much of a coward to say no to your sister."

She threw her hands up in defeat, storming out the door. Hearing her daughter's crying once more, she paused and went back to her room.

"I will never forgive you for this unless you make it right. Bring Phin back to me."

:-:

Ursula slept in the guest room that night and the four nights afterward. She pointedly avoided Phineas in that time, unable to see him without thinking of the child that shared his name - the one that had become his favorite, though he never said so. It was hard enough to see their remaining children and how the loss affected them. Arcturus was only a fraction of who he'd been the week before.

She considered going to visit her sister for a few days, but she didn't want to miss any time with the children. They would be back at school with Phineas soon, and then she would be left alone with Arcturus for some long, lonely months. If only her little Phin were still there to brighten the day and make them all laugh as he used to.

All three children were invited to Elladora's for tea on the first of August, one week after Phin was so harshly kicked from his home.

Phineas had been out all morning and afternoon without a word to anyone about where he had been, and Ursula hoped that it meant he would be eating out as well, but he returned home not long after the children left. He found her reading by the fire.

"Come with me," he requested.

"I don't think so," she replied coldly.

"Ursula, please. I'm trying to fix things."

She searched his face for a long moment, surprised by his gentle tone. Cautiously, she got to her feet and allowed him to take her arm for side-along apparation.

:-:

"The Leaky Cauldron? If you're trying to apologize with a romantic dinner, I would expect somewhere a little nicer than this," she sneered, glancing through the pub's grimy back windows.

Sighing, Phineas grabbed her hand. "Trust me."

He led her into the pub and up the back stairs, where no patrons could see them. They stopped outside of room three. Phineas knocked once and waited for the door to open. Ursula's breath caught at the sight of her exiled son. His clothes were wrinkled and it looked as though he hadn't shaved in their week apart, but he grinned the moment their eyes locked.

"Phinny," she murmured, rushing to embrace the teen. Phineas followed her into the room, closing and locking the door behind them.

She pulled back, sniffling, and ran a hand over her son's cheek. "Are you alright? Have you been eating?"

"I'm fine, Mum," he assured her. "Father has given me enough to survive on until I can get on my feet."

Ursula looked back at her husband, stood awkwardly by the door. She approached him slowly. "Why…?"

"Elladora does not control my life. She may offer me advice as to what is inappropriate for a Black to be participating in, but I will not be told to send my son to the streets like a common beggar." She was sure she'd never been more in love with him than in that moment. "Furthermore, I see no reason for Elladora to know about this little meeting … or any after."

When she was close enough to touch, Phineas took her hand once more. "Forgive me?" he muttered.

She smiled for the first time in what felt like years. "Always, my love."