11 th Symptom
Courage
"Promise me that you will not do anything...stupid, Sirius."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Uncle." responded the young Gryffindor, jaw set and eyes fixed on the grand fireplace before his eyes.
The grey living room of the Potter Manor was one of the many rooms of the residence which had the strange power to make one feel very small and completely welcomed at the same time. Sirius seemed as at ease walking on its floor as James was, and their strange synchronism was even more blatant.
She noticed for the first time that they were of the same height, had almost the same mouth, and a vague familiarity in the shape of their jaws. There was also something in the way they moved and they sat, but she recognized the casual elegance as the certain fruit of hundreds of lessons on posture. It still seemed more ingrained in Sirius, as indeed his lessons were memorized with the correction of far more hits of sticks then James's.
He and Alphard were whispering to each other, Hermione being the unlucky tampon between the two of them as they elegantly sat in one of the shimmering couch. Her right leg tapped nervously against the wooden floor. Soon, two representants of the Black Household would come to negotiate and most likely contest the terms of the bethrotals.
One of them would most likely be the father of Narcissa while the other had to from the principal branch of the family, Sirius being the heir. Which one ? It was a dark period for the Blacks, Pollux, the father of Walburga and Sirius's maternal grandfather, had just died of illness a year ago and Orion Black was said to have fallen ill in the lasts months.
"Are you alright, dear ? You look quite pale."
Hermione blinked and raised her gaze to meet the soft grey ones of Dorea Black. The matriarch of the Potter family was without a doubt a daughter of the Black Household. Her hair were the color of ink and the silver strands made her delicate updo look like a starry night. Her grey eyes shone with affection when she looked at Sirius, as if there were any doubt that the boy was well-loved in this house, and she had already caught Charlus whispering jokes to him, messing his hair and clasping a strong hand on his shoulders. As soon as she had arrived, both of James's parents had treated her as if they had known her her entire life. And when Sirius had presented her as his fiancé, Dorea had simply given her a very strange look before smiling and soflty saying "Of course she is."
To this moment, she couldn't help but think with a deep feeling of unease of the gaze with which the Potter matriarch had looked at her, as one would feel being the center of a conversation they couldn't begin to comprehend.
"I am fine, Mrs Potter. You keep a...lovely house."
If this could be called a house. Hermione had smiled when she had heard Narcissa's nickname for James, but she now understood it very well. James Potter was the only son of Dorea and Charlus Potter, the miracle child of their old-age, a child that was now as spoiled and loved as he had been desired. And he apparently lived in a castle.
It seemed for a moment that Mrs Potter had read into her mind and an amused smile danced on her lips. "Please make yourself comfortable, today is a very happy day. A joyous occasion indeed. You are young and you're in love. We are so very pleased to see the family growing."
It was Hermione's turn to set her jaw. In love...She had received Sirius's affirmation as a death sentence. It wasn't that she denied it. She didn't. She prized herself with two things, having a sound and clear mind and not being deceitful, even if it was with herself and in the secret of her heart. She was mad, because she should have seen it coming.
She had hidden herself behind the fact that saving things was her thing. Fighting for the oppressed was just her thing. The house-elves, the rights of magical creatures, a bullied student...Worse, she had hidden herself behind Harry. Had she come because of his wish of living with Sirius or because of her own ? Deep down, she had known how different she had been around Sirius Black, but flushing cheeks could easily be justified by anger and the man was always very good at provoking him anyway. He was the rudest, most infuriating, vain and stupidly prideful man she had ever seen. He suffered from paranoia, mild insomnia, was wholly irresponsible, sometimes genuinely cruel, and clearly had enough nevroses to give even the best psychatrist a headache. And yet... She just could not think of single wizard that could measure up to him in the categories of wit, talent, courage, charm and sheer charism. Sirius Black was his own measure, his own class of being. Seeing him broken was...unnatural. Understanding him, impossible. Each step forward brought another mile of mystery.
And now, she just couldn't shake the guilt that assailled when she thought how happy she was around him. She had never laughed more. She had never felt more at ease and on an edge at the same time. Never had she been that excited. Never had she been...in love. She had known infatuation. Infatuation was fun, and controllable. This...This, she didn't see want. It felt like falling too fast. It felt like loosing.
Interrupting the flow of her thoughts, the whispering between Alphard and Sirius only grew in volume.
"...just mind your manners, Sirius."
"What do you think I will do, uncle ?"
"I never know what you will do, Sirius. And I think half the time you don't know either. Like that time, when you suddenly set Bellatrix's hair on fire in the middle of the annual winter ball."
A joyful smile now lit Sirius's face "It was beautiful...To this day I still regret that the demon spawn didn't burn alive."
"Sirius Orion Black !"
James snorted a laugh in his teacup so loud that he almost covered Alphard's exclamation. When the man turned an accusatory gaze toward the young seeker, the Gryffindor didn't even try to hide his smile "Sorry, Alphard. But you have to admit there was something very cathartic about seeing Bellatrix almost burn."
Sirius pointed a proud finger toward James "That's my boy !"
A house-elf appeared, cutting them as Sirius and James send each other mock kisses, his trembling form making Dorea frown. "Mistress asked Niffy to tell her when the Blacks arrived, and...Cygnus Black has arrived...with Lord Acturus Black, mistress."
The hands of Dorea stilled around her cup and her entire body seemed to freeze. The temperature in the room dropped of several degrees and a strange immobility seemed to have fallen on the every person seated. The mischievous smile on Sirius's face had disappeared. All of sudden, as if without even thinking, he stopped slouching and sat with his back straight, passing several strands of his hair behind his ears to make himself more neat.
Narcissa who had been at perfect ease before, smiling gracefully under the compliments and the warmth of the Potters, immediately rose and passed trembling hands on her skirt to diminish its creases as she came to stand near the door.
Alphard also rose, but at the difference of every other member of the room, he seemed strangely calm, almost satisfied.
Several voices were heard behind the heavy doors as elves precipited themselves to open them.
"My Lord, it was really not necessary for you to come here. I assure that it is only a triffle, a misunderstanding that I will soon rectify-..."
"Cygnus...are you trying to tell me were I must and must not be ?"
"I- I would not dare, my Lord."
They entered the room, and never before had Hermione found herself before someone as intimidating as Acturus Black. He was a man of great stature, slim without being frail, broad-shouldered, long-limbed, his slender hand had a strong grip on his dark cane and his greying hair, with only persistant lines of black made his silver eyes shone even brighter. It seemed impossible to assign him an age, as if he was just standing ever straight and dignified before the fluctuant times.
Hermione exhaled a breath that she had not felt herself holding, and passed, almost absent-mindedly a trembling hand to right her skirt. Acturus stopped as he entered and reviewed everything through an impenetrable gaze. When his eyes passed on her, she felt something cold fall in the bottom of her stomach, not very differently than if she had been stripped naked in front of him.
"Please, my Lord" said Dorea, showing the most ornated couch in the room "Please, sit. We were all waiting for only Orion or Walburga accompagnying Cygnus, if I had known I would have prepared better accomodations-..."
"Orion must keep bed under the orders of his doctor. And Walburga... is not in a stable state right now" calmly said Acturus, taking his place on the couch. "I feared that if she was brought here, she would try to kill Alphard, he is after all trying to take her son away from her, is he not ?" finished the man, with what seemed like a cold light of amusement dancing in his eyes.
Cygnus threw a venomous gaze to his brother, but Alphard kept his fixed on Acturus. Alphard bowed slightly before saying "I do, my Lord. I ask your approval as I demand the custody of Sirius and Narcissa, and that the matter of their bethrotals be left to me."
Acturus hummed, and this simple noise seemed like the dangerous and quiet rumble of a predator flirting between satiety and the begining of a new hunger. "Why ?"
"My eyes have tired of the incompetence of my siblings, my Lord. I would have them rest before they could see the destruction of the Black family between their hands."
"How dare you, you miserable- "
Acturus raised a hand and Cygnus immediately interrupted himself. "I have heard your...grievances, Cygnus." The noise of the bottom of his cane passing on the ground made Hermione's hairs raise on her arms "I was anticipating Sirius making more trouble as he grew...But you are a surprise, Narcissa."
The blond opened a trembling mouth, no doubt preparing to plead her case, but before she could utter a word in her defence, James had already taken a step forward, slightly bowing in front of Acturus before saying with a roguish smile.
"With all due respects, Lord Black, the trouble comes entirely from me. I am quite good at that."
Acturus looked at James from top to bottom and Hermione finally remembered why being under the eyes of the man was so uncomfortable. Foresight. Acturus Black was the third and last member of the Black family with the gift of foresight. It was still in a minor capacity, the man being able to see what could be more than having a true knowledge of what would be. Nothing about it was infaillible and the Lord Black saw more or less of a person possibilities as he studied them, something he rarely took the time to do, being hardly interested in anyone. Still, because of this ability, each word he said were taken with the weight of an oracle.
The Head of the Black finally spoke again "Come closer."
James approached him with the assurance of someone that had never really been depreciated by important gazes. He came until he was standing before Acturus and then looked at him in the eyes, without seeming to be fazed by the cold glare of the elder. For a moment, Hermione asked herself if the confidence of James Potter was the result of deep foolishness or of the most astounding amount of courage that she had ever seen. "You are a handsome boy" finished by saying the man "as it would be expected from Dorea's son."
"Thank you, Lord Black." answered James, a cocky smile appearing on his lips.
"You have strong, good blood, and I know that dear Charlus has been making quite a bit of gold for your House. Still...Why would I agree to your bethrotal ? I approved of Lucius because I knew what he was capable of. He is seventeen and already has enough contacts in the Ministry to make himself a very important asset for the family."
"Lucius Malfoy is a worthless piece of crap and if he so much as breathes in the direction of Cissy again, Lord help me, I'll break his legs."
"James !" intervened Dorea.
"Malfoy will not go far." continued James. "I suppose that you can win influence with whispers and good lip-service. But when the time comes to seize power, you will find himself failing, and yourself disappointed. Why ? Because you need balls for that, and he doesn't have them."
Dorea Potter's face was as pale as her delicate china and she seemed to deeply desire hurling her teacup in her son's direction but was far too baffled to actually do that.
"And you would ? You ? You would seize power ?" Acturus raised an eyebrow, pushing himself against the back of the couch with the delight and curiosity of someone vastly entertained."Thought you have never worked in the Ministry, or that you seem to have shown no interest in your father's place in the Wizenmagot nor have you ever been seen in the political scale except for social gatherings..."
"All of this is quite secondary, Lord Black, don't you think ?"
"Is it ?"
"You are a very important man, Lord Black, you have no time to loose with semantics and useless details. So I'll tell you the only thing that matter about me, sir : I never loose. I don't plan to start now."
"Is that so ? "
"Well to be honest... I don't really try to win either, sir. I just hate losing. I have never lost a Quiddich game since I was five. I have been on the top five of the best students of Hogwarts since I am eleven. And I was elected prefect, this year, even though I really did not try to be one. I actually wonder what I would become sir, if I actually tried...don't you ?"
Their was a silence for a while, and then Acturus's lips seemed for the split of a second to quiver in the shadow of a smile before he said. "Dorea... I can honestly not tell if your son is the most prodigious wizard I have ever seen. Or the most foolish one."
He bended his long body forward, his elbows resting on his tighs as he said "Talented, charming, amazingly reckless and unecessarly heroic...Men like you think themselves invicible, this is their biggest strenght, and their biggest weakness. You will either die young or be glorious." He stopped himself for a while still looking at James "Either way you will be praised, and I have to admit that I am curious, young Potter, to know if you will live long enough to reign. I am already old...But I still have enough years in front of me to take several last bets."
Hermione was surprised to see that Acturus Black seemed to be profoundly amused by the developpements. "Do you want to bet with me too... Sirius ?"
Sirius approached him, bowing in a flawless manner, taking one of his grandfather hand in his and pressing his lips on it, without leaving the gaze of the man. "How strong is the Black blood in you...Yet...What a pity that you have neither the ambition nor the foresight. The failed occasion of your greatness will always be my most painful grief. I wonder if things would have been different, had I raised you myself ? I do hate being grieved, Sirius."
"I am not so easily changed, grandfather, and I have to admit I am not much of a gambler. I would rather pass a bargain with you."
"And what do you have to bargain that could interest me ?
"Me, of course."
Acturus Black seemed one more time incredibly amused. "Really ?"
"Yes. You have the gift of foresight, grandfather, and I never forgot what you predicted when you looked at me on my fourteenth birthday. You said that I would consume myself. You said that I would burn brighter than any and die young. Well, I don't really know about that, but what I can assure you is that if I fall, I'll take this entire family with me in the grave."
"How dare you- !"
Cygnus had been silent the entire time, refusing to look at his daughter, his thin lips perpetually bent in a trembling grimace of anger and displeasure. But if James Potter had only lit his eyes ire, Sirius's words had made him incapable to contain himself.
The young Gryffindor didn't even turn to look at his uncle, his eyes were fixed on Acturus who had just raised again an imperious hand to make Cygnus fall back into mutism. The eyes of the elder were deeply amused "Are you bargaining with me or threathening me, Sirius ?"
"I am a Black, my Lord. I can do both."
A pleased light shone in Acturus's eyes with something else, far more dangerous "You do remember your lessons. Then you know what I think of empty threats...and lies."
"Please, grandfather. I am many things. But I am no liar. In fact, I think that I am the only person in this room who never lied to you. See for yourself, you know. You do know that something has been hidden from you. You can feel it, can't you ?"
A strange quietness came upon the room, and Acturus Black straightened on the couch, his long body seeming to detangle itself to make him even more imposing. The shadow of a smile that one could have guessed on his lips since the beginning of his exchange with James disappeared, and his silver eyes grew colder and darker as the second passed.
All of the sudden Hermione understood why Alphard had insisted on the discussions being done in the Potter's Household, for she was sure that it was only the stringy hold of etiquette which made Lord Black keep the veil of calm that he had shown since he arrived.
"What are you saying, boy ?"
"I am saying that your sons and nephews have been lying to you for decades, now. The finances of the family are in the worse state now than they have ever been since the black plague and if not for Alphard we would all be ruined. The wedding with the Malfoys was supposed to bring enough assets to Cygnus so that he would have been able to hide this from you until his death- "
Cygnus immediately attempted to cross the room to attain Acturus, his face pale and hands trembling "My Lord, he-"
A violent noise was heard, making Hermione and most of the people present jump back. It was the sound of Acturus's cane, stomping on the ground in a unique hit. He had not raised a hand this time, and the look on his face showed to all that his patience was spent. Each of his regal features seemed iced in anger.
"In the past ten years" continued Sirius, his gaze unwavering "the Blacks have lost eight vaults, diplomatic relationships with more than twelve families of the sacred twenty-eights and two seats in the Wizenmagot. In the past two years...The Blacks have not taken any decision nor pushed to pass any bill without the tacit approval of the Malfoy and Lestrange families. When I told you that if I fell, the Black Household would follow me, I did not mean that I would destroy it, grandfather, only that it had already been pushed so close to the void that a single push is all that it would take to make it fall in the pit."
"My Lord...Please listen to me." Cygnus had come and fallen on his knees before Acturus, his face now void of colours "Every decision made...was made for the Black Household. A way has been opened...We could attain a glory greater than that of our ancestors, a path of priviledge for the pureblood- "
Another deafening noise made itself heard in the room. Acturus had now rose from his seat and he had slapped his nephew so hard that it seemed for a moment that all the walls were vibrating from it. The ring of Lordship that stood proudly on his middle finger had cut his lips deeply enough to make drops of blood fall on the luxurious carpet of the Potter.
"And by whom has this way been opened, Cygnus ? Is it this man that you bragged about with Walburga ? This great wizard with no name that is going to restore our glory ? I saw this abomination... This shrivel of a man who asks for the allegiance of his betters. Are you common enough that you would fall for the pretty words of a lunatic and bow in front of him like a dog ?You should search for a reason to convince me that your life is worth more than disgrace, if you wish to keep it."
"Please, my Lord we were only- "
"Call Walburga and Orion. Tell them to prepare for my arrival. I will speak with all of you tomorrow. Do not even concern yourself with who will be the head of the House, or whoses bethrotals will be accorded. But worry of how you will show me that you are worth your blood. If you are not, I may ask for it back."
The man then composed back his features to show only the most pleasant expression "I thank you for your invitation, Charlus. You have been the most gracious host. I have much to think about, and I would like to retire to think and rest alone before leaving to attend...What seem like pressing matters."
"Of course, Lord Black" said Charlus "would you like for someone to accompagny you to your resting place ?"
"What a charming offer." Some sense of calm seemed to have been found again. And Acturus started to walk toward the door in his habitual long and confident strides "Young lady, walk with me before I find rest."
It took some time to Hermione to understand that it was to her that the Head of the Black Household spoke, her mind still trying to process what she had just seen. She looked at his disappearing back and took it as her cue to follow him. Not even the slimest part of her wanted to comply and be alone even for a second with the man, but being the reason of his displeasure seemed a far more dreadful option.
Sirius was already advancing to protest, furrowing his brows and his fists bawled but Alphard kept him in place with a firm hand. Before he could fight him off, she took a deep breath and followed the shadow of Acturus through the corridors of the Potter's residence.
§§§
It was strange to think that with all she had lived, Hermione didn't remember ever being as frightened as she was walking beside Acturus Black.
Something about the man made her careful of each step she took, every breath, and every details of her posture. In him she saw some kind of superior predator in the wilderness, a strange and majestic thing that would negligely step on any beasts that it deemed unworthy or unuseful.
His attention was perhaps more dangerous than his indifference for disappointment did not not suit him. He had after all spoken of asking back for his own sons and nephews blood, if they did not prove their worth.
"It seems that Sirius will see his wish come true. He may have the occasion to see half of the family tree disappear in gruesome circonstances before he dies. Well...Even the heathiest tree needs to be trimmed before giving the fruits of the harvest, don't you think ? But even if I was to make half of his parents disappear, I know that he would not be satisfied by it. No matter how much he tries to run away from it, he is a Black. Merciless that he is. Frightening when wronged. And Heavens know that Sirius feels deeply wronged."
Hermione didn't answer, and she felt like the Head of the Black didn't expect her to. It was almost as if he was talking to himself, until he gave her a glance from the corner of her eyes.
"I hope that you know what path you have taken. And which kind of man is walking beside you."
She furrowed her brows, asking herself what she could respond. If she was expected to respond. It was not a question. Not really. But it did look far too much like a warning.
"You are far from home, sand-dweller. And I do wonder what kind of picture you are trying to paint."
Hermione completely stopped in her tracks, her wide eyes turning to look at the very calm and again amused figure of Acturus Black. How did he know ? Had he seen it ? Had he felt it ?
"You thought that I didn't know ? Child, you can not hide from my eyes."
"I am a witch."
"Yes. And no. I do not know what you are. I wonder what you will be. I wonder what you are trying to achieve here. You do seem deeply invested in whatever it is you plan to accomplish."
The shadow of a laugh passed on his face and he bended toward her. It seemed that his entire form was engulfing her, sucking the air from her lungs and he looked at her very intently. A strand of grey hair fell on his forehead, crossing it, and she would have appreciated how handsome he looked in his old age, if she had not desired to run away as much as she did "Would you like to bet with me, Miss ?"
"I would not."
This time he laughed, and it was a queer and quiet thing. His shoulders shook and he straightened himself. "Not the betting type, are you ?"
"Not with you. Men like you only bet life, and it is the thing I refuse to play with."
Acturus hummed, his cold eyes still lowered on her face, examining her.
She was still trembling but she stood as straight as she could. "I am not trying to paint anything. I am not a child. I am not a creature. I am not a sand-dweller. And if you do not know what I am...I do. I am Hermione. If the path is not straight, I will straighten it, for me, and for the kind of men I am walking it with."
Acturus Black stayed silent for a while before a smile came to rest upon his lips. As he did, she wondered when was the last time that he had ever smiled, for it was like an intemporal and old thing. And as rare as it was, she could not tell if it was a good thing or not.
"I now see why Sirius chose you...What a greedy thing he is. And you have made me curious. Very well. I will let the boys have their fun.You are young and you are in love." he said and it was almost in a mocking tone, the sweet words of Dorea becoming wrong in his mouth.
"But I now have great expectations on what things your light will show. I would be very grieved if you fail to attain them young lady, and I do so hate being grieved."
§§§
"Merlin, Acturus Black is the most frightening man I have ever seen. I think I almost peed myself when he was speaking to me."
Remus Lupin smiled in his choppe of Butterbeer. "Really ? You, Prongs ?"
The seeker passed a hand through his hair, beating his fist against the wooden table, the noise getting lost in the ambient cacophony of the Three Broomsticks. He looked around to assure himself that Narcissa was still busy taking the next commands at the bar "I had to protect my lady but...Moony, I felt naked when he looked at me. And I mean it's cool because I still look great naked but it was...weird. There is something about this man that just...is not normal. As if a basilisk and an accromantula had an evil child, and then this child learned to rule the world."
"Is it why Sirius is completely unresponsive ?" said Remus motionning to Sirius, who was nursing his bottle, his gaze fixed on the wall.
"Hey, I can't blame the guy...Lord Black talked to him before leaving, he like bended over like that and whispersed something to his ear. It was terrifying."
"But what about the bethrotals ?" asked Peter.
"He will accept them." answered Narcissa as she took back her place on James's side, levitating the last drinks on the table. "He saw something in you. The potential for greatness. Grandfather doesn't bet with anyone. And he had always had a weakness for Sirius. If one could call it that."
"You mean that he wants to use him for some kind of evil mastermind plan that he has ?" said James, grimacing in his drink.
"Acturus Black has a nefarious plan for anything and everything. You would be in far more trouble if he didn't find a use for you." said Narcissa, her gaze faraway, before she looked at Sirius. "What did he said to you ?"
The Gryffindor almost jumped back at the question. He didn't answer for a while, and then shook his head "He was worried about James's...fertility."
"The fuck you're saying ?! I'll have a child long before you."
"Please, Jamie boy. You really want to bet on this with me ?"
"Bring it on, you mangled beast. I'll have a dozen more kids, and they will all be smarter and prettier than yours."
"Prettier ? Have you seen me ?"
"I have seen you, alright. You and your stupid face."
"Your face is stupid."
"Wrong, you dumb dog. My face is smart, because I have glasses."
Hermione almost snorted back her butterbeer at James's retort. She put her hand in front of her nose, internally cursing, raising her eyes to meet the amused gaze of Remus.
"Please your glasses are the dorkiest thing I have ever seen."
"You're just jealous. Because you could never pull them of."
Sirius looked at him without saying anything for a moment, considering, before flinging himself over the table to take the glasses of James's face. Then, batting the hands of his friend away he put them on. He turned toward her and passed a confident hand on his hair, slowly lowering them on the bridge on the brige of his nose, and winked with a smile on his lips.
"Great God, how can you look so good in them ?" she asked in an incredulous tone.
A deeply satisfied grin appeared on his lips and he lazily tossed the glasses on the table "Point set, Prongsy. Moony, Wormtail, let us all mark this day and remember : that Sirius Black looks good in everything. This is a talent...No...This is a gift, a gift for mankind. And deeply dazzled by his radiant face, James Potter, moved to tears, will swear that he will name his firstborn...Sirius."
"Do you have no shame ?" dryly asked Remus.
"None ! Next question."
"You know that I will never call my firstborn child Sirius, right Paddy ?" said James with a smile, putting back his glasses.
"Why not ? You love me Jamie boy."
"Because if my firstborn is a boy, I swore when I was fourteen that I would name him Harry, after my uncle : Fleamont Harrison Potter, "Harry" for his friends."
Hermione felt her smile froze as she looked at James. Her hands started to shake, and she saw the scene as though she was walking in a dream.
"Oh yes ! How could I forget the old Harry ?" loudly said Sirius while taping his hand open-palmed on the table. He then turned to her and said in an excited tone "Minnie, Fleamont Harrison Potter was just the coolest man ever. He was the most badass auror-."
"He actually earned an order of Merlin when he was only twenty-six years old-" started Remus.
"He participated in the war against Grindelwad and defeated more than thirty dark wizards in one night-" continued James.
"He banged a veela-" said Peter on the tone of secrecy.
"And when he died he had only three fingers left." finished Sirius, nodding to himself.
Hermione opened and closed her mouth several times. Her throat was dry as sandpaper and she felt like she swallowed her entire heart before she said, in a quiet tone, pinching her lips so she would not smile like a lunatic. "So...it would be Harry James Potter, huh ?"
James snapped his fingers and turned to Narcissa with a dazzling smile "See ? Is there a cooler name ?"
The blond had an amused smile and pretended to meditate upon the thought before saying under the expectant faces of the boys "Harry James Potter sounds like a good name."
Immediately they started to exclaim and conjecture on how cool the boy would be and Hermione felt her eyes cloud with tears. "It really is" she said, amazed at how steady her voice was "It really is a fine name. A great name. Your son will be extraordinary James, I guarantee it."
Sirius looked at her with a smile before furrowing his brows "Hey...You okay, doll ?"
At that she laughed, passing her hands on her face to calm herself before saying. "Now, I am. God, now I finally am."
To be continued...
Always happy to hear what you think, and always pleased if you are ! Theses boys are effectively all a little bit broken, let's see what kind of paths they'll make for themselves.