Chapter 7
Elladora played with the doll in her lap quietly, while Bella platted her hair, she didn't like her touching her- not after what she saw- but she had to show respect and be polite.
"He's pleased then?" asked Aunt Druella
"Of course" said Walburga "he wrote in his letter, he says the hat sorted him straight away into Slytherin"
"Perfect" said Druella "oh and I have news, Narcissa wrote to me, Lucius Malfoy wants to ask for her hand"
"A Malfoy?" Walburga stood and went to the tapestry and she only had to give it a quick once over "never a Malfoy" she smirked "they are good stock almost as good as the Black and Lestrange family" Bellatrix smiled and pulled Elladora's hair, she bit her cheek so she didn't say ow.
"Mr Malfoy is coming round next weekend to ask Cygnus for her hand" said Druella she looked a little sour for a moment "but I've already informed Narcissa of my-our opinion"
Walburga didn't miss the mistake "Cygnus hasn't been well again then?" she asked casually admiring one of her rings
Druella looked at Bella who nodded at her mother "yes he hasn't, that is why I am arranging my daughter's wedding" Aunt Druella was short breathed again, she had been ill recently too "as soon as she leaves Hogwarts, she will marry" Druella began to cough, she covered her mouth with her hanky
"Calm yourself mother" said Bellatrix sternly "Narcissa has always been quiet taken with Lucius, he was a Slytherin in my year, prefect and head boy"
Druella stopped coughing, but as she lowered her tissue, Elladora saw a splash of red, was her aunt seriously ill?
"Well dear sister in law I am here to assist when you need me" said Walburga.
The house was quiet, and she was alone reading one of her tutoring books in front of the roaring fire. It was getting colder outside and the leaves were starting to turn yellow some had turned red and fallen. Kreacher came through the door carrying a tray "miss" he set the steaming cup of milk down "thank you" replied Elladora dreamily looking at the diagram in the book "Mistress wishes you to be in bed by nine" said Kreacher
"Ok" said Elladora annoyed, why did he have to tell what to do?
Kreacher left, good he could get on with the rest of his work, and he had enough to do. Elladora kept on reading until a sudden roar in the fireplace made her turn. The flames were sizzling green now, until suddenly a head appeared the head looked round panicked.
"Ted?" gasped Elladora sitting up and crawling to the hearth
"Ella" Ted said he kept looking over his shoulder at something in his kitchen "Ella its time"
"Now?" gasped Elladora "you're sure? There can be a lot of false alarms"
"She's already crowning" said Ted, he turned quickly his head almost disappearing "I've got to go, the midwife is calling. Elladora she really needs you here"
"This is a new job description for a ten year old" she grumbled getting up "stand back I'm coming through" she stepped into the fireplace, the fire licked at her fingers but didn't burn them, she was suddenly shot forward the feeling of dizziness took over and then she tripped over the rug at the other end.
Ted caught her before she fell, then she heard the screams and shouts of Andromeda, at the moment her words were quiet colourful.
"TED!" she screamed
Ted dragged Elladora quickly out the kitchen and up the stairs "there you are Mr Tonks" said a little round faced, white haired women in a healers outfit "I can see the head, a few more pushes and we should be there"
Ted went past her and into the yellow coloured room, Andromeda was laying on the bed her knees up, she was sweaty and crying "Ted..." she panted
"Come keep up the breathing techniques we practiced" said Ted brushing her hair back "look whose here" he stepped back to reveal Elladora
"Ella!" Andromeda shoved Ted away and held out her hands for her cousin "I'm so sorry; the labour came on so quick-" she sucked in a sharp breath "your parents?"
"Not home" said Elladora "look now is not the time for this, let's get this baby out then we'll have a good talk"
Andromeda nodded, Elladora took her right hand and Ted went round the bed and took her left "right one more push"
Elladora was quiet sickened after that...
"A girl" announced the healer as she wrapped the baby in a blanket and placed her in Andromeda's arms
"A daughter" smiled Ted; he had tears in his blue eyes
"We seem to have a lot of girls on our side of the family" laughed Andromeda, she was crying also
"Yes we do" said Elladora astonished this tiny little thing was perfect "ten fingers and ten toes" she mumbled
"Perfect" said Andromeda brushing the damp brown hair on the baby's head back
"What are you going to call her?" asked Elladora excitedly
"We only had one girl's name we liked" said Andromeda looking up at Ted smiling "Nymphadora, it means gift of the nymphs"
Elladora didn't say anything it was kind of a stupid name, but she wasn't one to talk.
"The gift, or Dora part is after you" said Andromeda turning her big brown eyes to her cousin "we would like you to be Godmother"
Elladora couldn't speak; she opened and closed her mouth like a fish
"Speechlessness I think means yes" grinned Ted
"Yes it does" said Elladora happily she gently hugged Andromeda and the baby.
The clocked chimed next to the bed; it was almost midnight "ah" she panicked "I am going to have to go"
"Just one quick picture" said Ted running from the room
Elladora went to protest "please Ella" said Andromeda "it might be the only chance you get"
"Ok" said Elladora as Ted ran back in with his camera "now Ella, you get in there next to Dromeda and Nymphadora" they all smiled "one, two, three and say cheese"
"Cheese" they both said
The camera flashed, a great puff of purple smoke was released. The small explosion woke the baby "shhh, shhh" soothed Andromeda. Ted climbed onto the bed and suddenly Elladora felt like she was intruding "I'm going to have to go" she said she kissed her cousins cheek hugged Ted and stroked the baby's blonde hair "hey wasn't she a brunette a minute ago"
"Maybe we have a little witch already" said Andromeda "goodbye, we'll send the date of the Christening"
Elladora nodded and headed home.
Elladora stepped out back onto the familiar hath she was still smiling even when she looked up and saw her parents waiting. The smile vanished.
"I am very disappointed" said Orion his eyes were blazing "we come home to fetch you, and find that you are missing"
"What a stupid thing to do" hissed Walburga "we are in the middle of a crisis and you vanish-"
"Let me handle this dear" said Orion touching her shoulder "where have you being?"
"To Hogsemead to visit Sirius and Regulus" lied Elladora
Her father knew she was lying "the truth from your mouth, or I will take serious action" Elladora thought quickly
"I went to visit Sirius-" the strike was hard and it knocked her over
"LIAR!" her father boomed "Kreacher has kept me well informed of your actions, forbidden books missing from the library, secret letters from Andromeda, reading forbidden books and visiting outcasts!"
Elladora couldn't stop the tears
"Punishment" he declared "will not be inflicted by us"
Walburga smiled evilly
"We have being to your Aunt's house" said Orion pulling her roughly up by her arm "that is why we have fetched you, she's dying and you are coming with us, you're going to tell her what you've being doing and then you will suffer your cousin's hand, she has learned a many new things from the death eaters"
That was it Elladora felt fear for the first time, every fear she'd felt before then was not fear compared to what she felt now.
She was forced into the candle lit room. Her uncle sat in a chair by the bed, with Narcissa and Bellatrix standing at different corners.
Walburga went to her brother's side "how is she?" she asked sympathetically
"The healer said it would be soon" whispered Cygnus holding his wife's hand.
Druella's breathing was harsh and wheezy; there was blood at the corner of her mouth. She opened her eyes and spied her niece "well..." she choked
"Where we suspected" confirmed Walburga "come here child!" she didn't even address her properly, or even look.
Orion shoved Elladora forward "why don't you tell your Aunt where you've been" everyone looked at her.
"To visit Andromeda" said Elladora, she spoke quietly but her voice seemed too loud in the quiet room
Narcissa glared at her from her corner. Bellatrix just looked eager to know the truth.
"Well..." Druella's voice was cracked "how is that spiteful child..." she coughed loudly, bringing up more blood.
"You have a granddaughter" said Elladora fiery "her name is Nymphadora Tonks, she was born at ten, fifty two, and weighs six pounds nine ounces, and already shows potentially as a witch"
"You lie" hissed Narcissa "she would have wrote to say-"
"She did write" said Cygnus "she wrote to be me and told me, I didn't reply"
"You-you-" Druella couldn't speak as her eyes grew wide, she coughed more vigorously the pillow was covered in redness. "NO!" she choked "No, no, no, no..." she kept choking.
Cygnus restrained his wife on the bed "I'm sorry" he pulled her to him "I'm sorry" he went for the pillow under her head "take the girls out of here" he looked at Orion with mad eyes "now please"
Bellatrix linked her sister's arm and headed for the door. Orion picked Elladora up and shut the door behind him.
He stood Elladora back on her feet "you will have new tutoring sessions, twice a week with your cousin Bellatrix" he declared "as punishment"
Bellatrix smiled "I can't wait" but her mind was clearly elsewhere as she looked at her parents' bedroom door. Ten minutes later Walburga opened the door "she has passed on" Narcissa began to weep; Bellatrix hugged her to her shoulder she wouldn't cry. Orion and Walburga shared a look. No one noticed what Elladora saw through the crack in the open door. Her uncle removed a pillow from over his wife's face and then kissed her forehead. Elladora stepped back they'd murdered her.
"Breathe in" said Walburga pulling at the laces on the corset then slipping the pink satin dress over Elladora's head, she didn't seem to care about the bruise on her back "how are your lessons?"
"Interesting" replied Elladora plainly "Bella talks a lot about he-who-must-not-be-named"
"Hopefully it will open your eyes" said her mother tying the bow at the back "Don't forget the bouquet" Elladora picked up the cream and pink flowered garland and was escorted from her room.
"The day my wife passed on was a sad day for us, but if she could be here now she would be proud of both our daughters" yeah if you hadn't killed her last year thought Elladora, she saw Sirius's grim expression too, she'd told him and Reg "but today is not a sad day, today is a happy day so too Lucius and Narcissa- The Bride and Groom"
"The Bride and Groom" replied the rest of the room
Chatter emanated at once as everyone enjoyed the food and wine, then the dancing began. Narcissa and Lucius were up to dance first; Elladora had to admit there was something enchanting about her cousin, her beauty was clear and her hair looked like pure gold. The white dress hugged her frame and trailed gracefully behind her as Lucius twirled her. Bellatrix stood and Rodolphus twirled her and they joined the dance.
Sirius held out his hand to his sister but their mother appeared with some family friend's daughters, Regulus and Sirius knew better than to sulk so they just joined in. Elladora stood feeling foolish, just as she was tapped on the shoulder "would you like to dance?" asked a boy with blonde hair and pale eyes and face, he didn't look like he wanted to dance.
Elladora looked over his shoulder to see both her parents talking happily with another couple, the Crouches, so this was Regulus's friend Barty. Walburga shot her a warning look.
"It would be my pleasure" she said
Barty linked her arm and then turned her onto the dance floor, his hand was on her waist and hers on his shoulder "you know when Regulus told me he had a sister; I thought he was talking about a baby, you're clearly no baby"
"No I'm not a baby I'm eleven" she replied
"Oh yeah have you had your Hogwarts letter yet?" he asked, he was really skinny she could feel bones under his robes, not something she felt comfortable with.
"No not yet" said Elladora, she'd checked the post every day since her eleventh Birthday.
"You're a shoe in" he smiled it had a cruel touch to it that smile "and a Slytherin as well, like you're brother" he winked at Regulus, who did not look happy with Barty.
"I have two brothers" corrected Elladora
"Yeah but the others a Gryffindor" smirked Barty he bowed as the song stopped "that's worse then been a push over of a Hufflepuff"
Elladora snatched her hand away, then gave a short curtsey "There's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff's" she walked away towards her brothers "how are your friends with him?"
"What did he do?" said Regulus he was messing with his fringe, his hair had grown since Christmas and it was hanging in his eyes
"He's just creepy" she shuddered "and rude, and slightly evil..."
"Well he's...he's just Barty" said Regulus "whatever he said he didn't mean it"
Elladora rolled her eyes, there was no point trying to reason with him.
She knocked on the door
"Come in" called Sirius.
Elladora walked in smiling "what do you think?" she asked twirling on the spot
Sirius looked her over and then frowned "new dress?"
"Yeah, six in fact" beamed Elladora at the bale blue satin dress that came just above her knees "mum said it was time for a change"
Sirius slid off his bed his black leather boots (that mum freaked out about) hit the floor "mum bought you six new dresses?"
"Yes" said Elladora leaning against his bedroom wall "six different colours, I don't know why"
Sirius on the other hand did know why, this had happened to his three older cousins and he really hoped the day it happened to his sister wouldn't come.
"Elladora!" called their father from below
Elladora cringed and looked at Sirius
"What did you do?" he asked, they saw Regulus poke his head at out his bedroom door
"Nothing" whispered Elladora as she went quickly- because she didn't want to keep Orion waiting- down the stairs "yes father?" she asked as she saw him standing waiting
Orion didn't look angry but now a days he never did as long as Bella gave her a sharp smack once a week then he didn't care "this arrived" he held out a heavy cream envelope with green hand writing
Elladora took it slowly, running her fingers over the Hogwarts coat of arms, she smiled finally her day had come. She opened the letter not wanting to rip the paper
Dear Miss Elladora Belvina Black
I am writing to inform you that you have received a place at Hogwarts School and Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"I've being accepted" she told her father, who smiled- she'd never seen him smile before- well maybe she had but had never noticed.
"Go tell your mother" he said encouragingly
Elladora turned around beaming she looked up to see Sirius and Regulus leaning over the banister both beaming, Regulus gave her a thumbs up and she went into the front room.
She entered the room her mother was sitting on her chair by the fire doing her needle work "yes child?" she'd never been quiet forgiven by her mother over everything that had happened last year
"Mother" she smiled "my Hogwarts letter has arrived"
Walburga's brown eyes came up to look at her, they looked bitter
"I've been accepted" she said
"Very good" replied her mother and went back to work.
Elladora waited until she was back upstairs in her room with Regulus and Sirius before she spoke "she didn't care" she told them
"Of course she did-" said Regulus off handed
"Well mums like that-" Sirius and Regulus looked at each other sharply for interrupting the other
"Don't start" hissed Elladora stopping her pacing "she didn't care. I thought this would make things better. Maybe I should have never been born"
Sirius and Regulus both frowned identical scowls "don't talk like that" said Regulus
"We care" said Sirius "so does Dad he seems pleased with your letter"
Elladora shrugged she pulled at the corner of her new dress "she was pleased when she gave these to me" she smiled "don't know why, I think getting my letter is more important" she looked up to see Sirius with folded arms and pursed lips "what?" she demanded
"Tell her for goodness sake" Regulus pushed off from the bed in frustration and left the room
"When a girl in the Black family gets shorter dresses-above the knee- it means she been prepared for courtship" said Sirius
"I'm eleven!" protested Elladora
"I know, which is scary Ella, because they must have found someone" said Sirius "but they'll wait, you're too young yet, don't worry"
Those words didn't stop her from worrying.
"Wand first then?" beamed Elladora her arm around Regulus's waist, his around her shoulder
"Its tradition" he said, they moved together keeping close to the wall, passing the posters and entering Ollivander's, one of the only shops not shut down. "Ollivander is too important, you-know-who wants young wizards to join him they have to have wands and have training first"
Elladora just went inside stupid newspapers. Ollivander was waiting which was odd "about time" and his tape message left the desk and measured her right arm, he then smiled and vanished
"Curious" whispered Regulus in a very bad impression of Ollivander's voice
Ollivander came back and handed her a grey box "ten inches Hippogriff talon willow"
Elladora took the wand and gave it a wave; a group of blue birds burst out the end and then turned into dust.
"Excellent" clapped Ollivander "I do enjoy it when I am right..." he wrung up the till and Elladora paid "take good care now, wands choose their wizards, and yours is a very powerful wand"
Elladora looked down at her wand box; she doubted that it was powerful...
Regulus and Elladora entered the hallway, the banging and shouting coming from the above landing was atrocious. All this for a painting, thought Elladora as they went up the staircase. They passed two wizards who were busy sticking a large golden frame with a portrait of their family to the wall. Their mother had insisted that they had this portrait done. Elladora scrunched up her nose, as the people in the painting (mainly her parents, Sirius and Regulus) all argued about who would sit where, why Sirius looked scruffy, and how awful the portrait hangers were.
"I'll take these in here!" shouted Regulus indicating the packages for his new school year at Hogwarts
Elladora nodded and went into her bedroom dumping her packages on her bed; she smiled at her wand box and mentally decided to show it to Sirius who hadn't come shopping with them because he'd gone with James Potter the week before.
Elladora took off her coat and went down the hallway to Sirius's room. She didn't bother knocking- she never did
The door opened "Sirius we're back-aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh" if it hadn't been for the noise downstairs then the whole house would have been notified.
The reason Elladora had screamed was simple, lying on her brothers four poster bed was a large black dog. It had been fast asleep but jumped awake at her scream.
Elladora stared at the dog which stared back. She went for the door; the dog suddenly leapt from the bed and skidded in front of her. She screamed again. There was a funny noise of water been sucked back up a drain.
"For Merlin's sake Elladora!" yelled Sirius, he stood where the dog had once been "why couldn't you have knocked?"
Elladora stared wide eyed at Sirius, now everything made sense, the books from the library and the excuses of homework.
"You're an Animagi?" she blurted out
Sirius's shoulders slumped "yeah I am"
Elladora didn't know what else to say, she just stared at him and said one word "why?"
Sirius frowned and looked at the picture of his friends on his wall "I-I can't tell you" he said quietly
Elladora scrunched up her nose, he told her everything...it was disappointing not knowing, it showed her how much he'd changed "please" she tried been sweet and charming
Sirius ran a hand through his shaggy hair "it's not my secret to tell"
Elladora pouted "you use to tell me everything" she said going past him for the door
Sirius growled "don't do that" he snapped
"Do what?" she snapped back in his face- well chest as he was so much taller than her
"Act just like them!" he pointed down the stairs
Elladora's face turned white, but it set into a perfect scowl "you've never said that to me" she said in shock
Sirius's anger faded and he'd realised he'd gone too far "El-" he began
"Go away!" she went into her bedroom and slammed her door shut.
Sirius knocked "Ella I'm sorry" he listened there was no reply "shit!" he kicked the banister and a house elf head fell off the wall and banged down the stairs
"SIRIUS!" yelled his mother
"Bugger" he groaned