"You must be kidding," Sirius snorted. "Barty Crouch under the influence of the Imperius curse? No way. "
"What makes you think such a thing?" Remus asked me.
"It's hard to explain," I sighed. "Feeling, I don't know. I remember the looks of my classmates under its influence, Crouch behaves very strangely, as if he is a different person sometimes. "
"There's no way," my uncle challenged again. "Barty Crouch is a very powerful wizard, it will be very difficult for anyone to put him under the influence of the curse. And for what would someone need it? Barty has no such influence in the Ministry as before. If someone wanted to do something bad, they would use Fudge, a much easier and more influential target. "
Remus nodded at Sirius's words, then he said trying to reassure me: "Look, if something really bothers you, you can ask some of your colleagues who know him well. As far as I understand, you think he's under constant control. But that is damn, damn hard. Crouch is a very capable Wizard; it will be difficult for someone to control him even for a short time. Not to mention for a long time. "He approached me and hugged me, putting his chin on my head " Is there anything else that has impressed you and bothered you around him? Did something specific happen?"
I hesitated for a moment. The Vow.
"No. " I lied, shuddering at him. "Maybe you're right. "
Maybe they were really right. I had no concrete evidence of such a thing. Besides, I didn't know Crouch well. Maybe he was just an odd guy. I decided I didn't need to ruin my holidays because of some false feeling. Maybe the letter would help me understand what kind of person Barty Crouch was. Maybe. But that would happen after Christmas. I will try to forget what's happening today for now.
And I've really succeeded in that so far. One of the reasons was that Sirius and Remus reassured me, and another of it was Percy's assurance that Crouch was just very busy. Still, he knew him better than I did.
Christmas was approaching, and in addition to my work and worries, I had completely forgotten that I had to buy presents for Remus and Sirius. Although my uncle was an odd fish, I already had an idea of what to give him. I'll just have to get him out of the house for a while. I don't want him to sniff around me while I prepare the surprise. What about Remus? It had been several years since I had bought a gift for a boyfriend. At that time I did not attach much importance to this. I just had to give something and to get something. Stephan's interests were so ordinary and basic that it was not difficult for me at all. But now it was different. Remus was so different. I was different.
I decided to go to Diagon Alley hoping to find what I was looking for. In my home country, we had something like a square with many stalls and outpatients. From there we bought the things we needed for school. It was wide and usually not as busy as Diagon Alley. But that was exactly the charm of this British street. This street always amazed me with its variety and noise. Peering through the crowd, I came to the shop that interested me. Luckily for me, I got the gift for Remus inside.
The day before Christmas came imperceptibly fast. The Christmas mood was everywhere. Even in the Ministry. Instead of the usual letter planes that circled between the departments, small talking bells now flew, wishing merry holidays. I managed to get out of work early, although Percy tried to stop me with a pile of letters waiting to be translated.
"Come on, Perce," I told him, forgetting long ago that he was actually something like my boss. "It's Christmas. Leave the work for a moment and drink an egg punch. Where will you spend the holiday?
"At home, with my family. My older brother Charlie is here, he was dealing with the dragons during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. This Christmas will be much calmer and I will have time to finish my reports on Mr. Crouch. My brothers and sister will be staying at Hogwarts for the holidays because of the Yule ball. By the way, Mr. Crouch wants me to go instead of him. But I haven't found a date yet. " as in his last words, he looked at me appraisingly from head to toe.
Shocked, realizing where the conversation was headed, I quickly managed to say goodbye and wish him happy holidays.
On Christmas morning, wearing a huge dwarf hat, I managed to break into the room of Sirius, who was still asleep.
"Come on, sleepyhead. I have a surprise for you. " and with these words, I pulled him out of his bed. Still sleepy and yawning, he stood in the doorway of the room I had dragged him to. He looked around confused for a moment before going inside.
"Is that… - he began - is that real? Oh, Ash, it's great. "And he ran and hugged me tightly. When he pulled away we were both in tears.
I was able to repaint one of the vacant larger rooms in the house and paint the Black family tree. But not like that one which was displayed in the drawing-room. Sirius's mother Walburga blasted names of "blood traitors" off the tapestry in the original one without hesitation. The Black family motto of Toujours Pur ("always pure") was followed assiduously by family members; any who disagreed with the notion of blood purity or married Muggles or people of different blood statuses were disowned and blasted off the family tree, as were any Squibs. But on the tree I had painted, only the members that were blasted in the other, were left. Eduardus Limette Black, Iola Black, for marrying Muggle Bob Hitchens, Phineas Black, for supporting Muggle rights, Marius Black, for being a Squib, Cedrella Black, for marrying blood traitor Septimus Weasley; Andromeda Black, for marrying Muggle-born Ted Tonks, Alphard Black, for giving gold to his runaway nephew and of course my uncle - Sirius Black, for running away from home.
"This is your new family tree," I told him with a smile, watching him run his fingers over the new drawings.
"It's amazing, but I think you forgot something." - and with a few quick strokes of his wand he added something to the wall near his own name. At first, I couldn't figure out who he was painting until I read the text below. Ashling Black. "You're my family, you know."
My eyes filled with tears. And I hugged him again. Ever since my grandmother died, I was searching for my place, my home, who I am. I already knew. I had found it. Here. And I put my hand on Sirius' chest where his heart was.
"It got too emotional," Sirius pulled away from me, though his eyes were full of tears, too. "You're still a pain in the ass, you know."
I laughed.
Remus came in the evening. He had barely gotten out of work. He looked a little tired but entered the kitchen with a wide smile. He wore a black knitted hat that was covered with snow. When he took it off, his hair was in all directions. He tried clumsily to smooth her back. Merlin, I loved everything about this man. I love ... I couldn't wait to give him the gift I had prepared for him. I was also a little worried because I didn't know if he would like it. We sat by the fireplace in the living room, overeating, our cheeks flushed from the amount of wine we had drunk. I listened to stories of Remus and Lupin's years at Hogwarts, amused by how rebellious they were then, and how now they are trying to impose their authority on me. I was huddled in Remus when my uncle told us he was going to see Buckbeak and left the room.
"I have a present for you," he said to me. I turned to look at him. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful silver necklace with a dark black stone. "It was in my family for decades, the stone is special. It must be given by a friend or loved one to protect the one they love. The color of the stone reminds me of your hair and eyes. " Without another word, he brought the silver around my neck and fastened the small clasp. He didn't need to say anything for we both knew what it meant. For the longest time, he gazed at me entranced for something had shifted between us.
"Thank you. It's beautiful." – I kissed him. "I have a present for you, too." He ran his fingers lightly through my hair. "I don't know if you'll like it. It's not very practical, but I hope it means something to you. " I took the small packed box out of my pocket.
He picked it up and slowly opened it. He pulled out a leather bracelet. There was a metal plate with an inscription on it. He turned it over and read it. His eyes widened.
"These are runes," I explained, thinking he might not have understood them. "They mean…"
"Hope and Ash"
"Yes," I confirmed, trying to guess whether he liked it or not. "Like your mother's name and mine. I know how much you loved her, and that she learns runes after she met your father. And Ash as my name …"
" I love you. " He told me, smiling. His amber eyes were warm and tender. He ran his fingers gently down my cheek, then through my hair. "I love you, Ashling Black. You're amazing. Every day I thank fate for meeting me with you. You came into my life without permission, without asking, so sure of things, so steadfast that you would become part of my life. You were so different from the others, both painfully familiar and insanely mysterious. I can't even think about living without you. " He said all this in one breath, not taking his eyes off me. My heart was pounding in my chest. I could also feel his under my arms, which were placed on his chest. In this uncertain world, I was sure of one thing.
"I love you too, Remus Lupin." And I kissed him.