Our Simple Dramas

Darla had not even brushed the crumbs from her last biscuit away from her mouth when she turned her big, dark eyes on Severus and asked, "Can I have 'nother biscuit?"

He chuckled and continued to put the lid on the jar the baked goods were stored in. While levitating it up to its spot on the shelf in their kitchen, he said to his sister, "I think not."

Darla began to pout. "Why not?"

"You just had one!"

She tilted her head at his remark and he could just barely see the little cogs working double-time behind her shadowy irises. Voice lilting experimentally, she inquired, "Can I have 'nother… later?"

Severus was growing exasperated. Were all little children so intense about trivial matters like having a second biscuit? He nearly called for Edie to come and deal with his sister, but at the last minute decided against it. He knew his twins' routine well and a glance at the clock hung opposite him showed it was half-past noon. Edie was likely just finished feeding them and now laying them down for a kip. He'd upset their schedule if he bothered her now (and Severus knew better than to do that after the last time where Edie threatened to leave him in charge of putting the girls to sleep until they were back on a regular timetable).

Returning his gaze to his sister, he saw that Darla was still staring at him, eyes expectant and hopeful. Severus began to weigh the pros and cons of each answer. She might be a little annoying if he said no, but he was confident that she'd be over it within ten or so minutes. While if he said yes, he could make later hours from now and avoid a fit altogether. Severus was particularly swayed by that thought. Perhaps she'd even forget she was owed one by then. Though, he reckoned it was highly unlikely. Darla had excellent recall. Severus could dream, anyhow, couldn't he?

"Yes, you can have another biscuit after dinner," he told her.

Darla's voice took a whinging edge. "That's forever from now!"

Severus scowled, irritated that his sister was going to throw a strop even after he agreed to give her another biscuit. Maybe he ought to tell her that'd she'd lost the chance to have another biscuit thanks to her complaining. She was starting to sound rather spoilt and there should be consequences for that. Yet… He didn't want to come down hard on Darla if he didn't have to. It would make him feel far too much like their father – even if he didn't slap her as Dad would have. After a moment of consideration, he decided to let Darla choose whether she'd have another biscuit today or no. "You could have no more biscuits at all today," he offered as he looked down his nose at her in warning.

His sister's entire being shifted at his threat. Now upright and eyes wide, she assured him, voice high-pitched, "I'd like one after dinner, please!"

"I thought as much," Severus snorted, letting up on his glare and quietly pleased that he didn't have to renege on the second biscuit after dinner. Beckoning his sister to his side, he suggested, "Now, to pass the time, why don't we go see if Edie's finished putting down the twins? Perhaps if she has we could all play a game of Snitch Snatcher!."

Darla beamed; any hint of her ill-mood was entirely gone. "Okay!"

This is a small something I've been piecing together for a while. I thought it'd be a cute way to showcase all of the girls and give a little more of a view into their personalities. How did you enjoy Darla's chapter?

Thank you for reading!