2 July 1972
Dora paced up and down the drawing room, waiting for Sirius' arrival from the Hogwarts Express. The past several months had passed by too slowly for her liking. Sundays were her favorite days, when she could visit with Al or practice dueling with Moody.
Dumbledore had kept communication with her at a minimum, although he'd joined a few Sunday afternoon teas with Al and Moody. He had assured Dora that the basilisk would be found and "taken care of," before the start of the next school year. The diary had been located as well, though it hadn't been moved from Malfoy Manor.
The last times Dora had seen Voldemort, he had thankfully not spoken to her. Nothing more had been said concerning her magic or future, and she was glad. She hoped she would never have to speak with Voldemort again, though her precarious place as a spy for Dumbledore made it all but impossible that she could avoid Voldemort for much longer.
"Would you stop pacing already?" Regulus demanded. "He won't come back any sooner."
"It helps me think," Dora explained.
"What are you thinking about?"
"The future, I guess."
"Let Uncle Al and Mother worry about that," Regulus drawled. "It's not as if you'll have many options."
Regulus had grown more sullen in the last few weeks. Aunt Walburga's disappointment in Sirius' behavior in his first year at Hogwarts had led to Regulus' additional lessons and lectures on representing the House of Black properly. With every misstep, Sirius was paving the way for Regulus to become the heir for the House of Black, much to Regulus' disappointment. Lectures on the goings-on of the Wizengamot and the family seat Regulus would inevitably take, lessons on managing the complex investments the Black family held both in and out of Britain, and learning to represent the family proudly kept Regulus busy, but unhappy.
"I'll see if I can change their minds," Dora said, knowing what was weighing on Regulus' mind.
"Doubt it."
"You underestimate me."
"If you're right I'll give you half my inheritance."
"You're on," Dora dared, shaking Regulus' hand. Just then, the fireplace flashed green and Aunt Walburga stepped out with Sirius, dragging him by his ear into the drawing room. Sirius looked especially put out by the trip home, and grunted a greeting to Dora and Regulus before huffing his way up the stairs and slamming the door shut.
Aunt Walburga pursed her lips and snarled at Dora and Regulus before screeching for Kreacher's assistance in bringing Sirius' things upstairs and muttering obscenities under her breath.
"I'll see if I can get through to him," Dora whispered to Regulus. She padded up the stairs and softly knocked on Sirius' door.
"I'm not speaking to you, Mother," spat Sirius through the door.
"It's me, Dora."
"Fine, you can come in," Sirius directed. Dora quietly opened the door and closed it behind her, wordlessly casting a silencing charm on the door in the process.
"What happened?" Dora asked gently.
"Mother screamed at me in front of my friends and forbade me from speaking to them again," Sirius explained. "As if she had the authority to control what I do at school."
"Why did she dislike your friends?"
"They're not all perfect purebloods."
"Isn't James a pureblood?"
"He barely counts as one because his family is a bunch of sodding blood traitors, according to Mother," growled Sirius. "Peter and Remus are both half-bloods, so they're just barely worth my time. If she only knew about the Muggleborns."
"I'm sorry about that. It's stupid she expects that from you. Don't you share a dorm?" Dora asked.
"She knows I share a dorm with them!" Sirius exclaimed. "She's just trying to make my life miserable there too!"
"She really can't control what you do at school though," Dora assured him.
"Not unless precious, perfect Regulus tells on me," Sirius grumbled.
"I'll make sure he doesn't."
"Just trust me, okay?"
Sirius rolled his eyes. "You really do deserve to be a Hufflepuff. You just want everyone to get along."
"Is that so wrong?" Dora asked.
"Maybe not wrong," Sirius explained, "just really fucking unlikely."
…..
11 July 1972
"They're here! They're here!" Regulus shouted excitedly, bursting unceremoniously through Dora's bedroom door.
"Who's here?" grumbled Dora, tired from the early start.
"Our Hogwarts letters, you numpty!" Regulus explained, thrusting the all-too-familiar parchment in Dora's hands.
"Well, that only means one thing," Dora began, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REGULUS!" she shouted, hugging Regulus tightly.
"How come yours came on my birthday? Is it your birthday too?!" Regulus asked.
"No, no, my birthday's the fifth of November," Dora explained. "But I was down for Ilvermorny then, so I think Dumbledore arranged for our letters to arrive on the same day as yours."
"So you'll really go to Hogwarts with us?" asked Regulus.
"Of course, Reg," Dora assured. "Now, let's see, birthday boy means birthday presents!" Dora grinned brightly at Regulus and pulled out a narrow box from underneath her bed.
"For me?" Regulus asked.
"You're the numpty now," Dora joked. "Of course it's for you."
Regulus hastily unwrapped the gift to find an ornately engraved wooden box. Dora had decided to gift him a wand box. While rarely used for wand storage, it was the type of item that upper-crust wizards kept as decorations in their studies. Dora had it engraved with Regulus' initials, R.A.B.
"This…is…wow," Regulus stammered. "Thank you, Dora."
"Aunt Walburga said you would be getting your wand next month, so I thought you might like it," Dora elaborated.
"Aren't you getting a wand too?" Regulus asked.
"No, I've got my mum's wand to use," Dora said. "Uncle Al is holding onto it till you get yours, I think."
Just then, Kreacher materialized in front of the two, bowing deeply. "Many happy returns to Master Regulus on his eleventh birthday. Master Regulus and Miss Dora are requested in the drawing room."
"Thank you, Kreacher," said Regulus. "C'mon, Dora, let's see what Mother and Father are giving me for my birthday!" Regulus grabbed hold of Dora's hand and led her downstairs to the drawing room.
Sirius, Aunt Walburga, Uncle Orion, and Kreacher were waiting for them in the drawing room. Sirius was bouncing with joy. Dora suspected he had a prank waiting for Regulus' birthday, and it warmed her heart to see Sirius genuinely happy for the first time since he came home from school.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REG!" Sirius shouted. Aunt Walburga smacked the back of his head, but Sirius didn't seem to care.
"Many happy returns on your birthday, Regulus," drawled Uncle Orion. "Per your wish, you, your brother and I will be attending the next Puddlemere United match on Saturday. Box seats, of course."
"Thank you, Father!" Regulus exclaimed.
"Dora isn't going?" Sirius asked, looking crestfallen.
"Your cousin, Pandora, will be otherwise engaged," Aunt Walburga said, flatly. Sirius looked slightly disappointed, and Dora felt slightly put out that she wouldn't be joining them for the Quidditch match.
"You can tell me all about it when you get back," Dora assured them. She suspected Aunt Walburga was going to take her to some society event for fine witches, and she dreaded yet another pureblood soiree.
"Your gifts, Regulus," Aunt Walburga stated, handing Regulus a few handsomely wrapped parcels. Regulus opened them to reveal expensive omnioculars and several items of Puddlemere United merchandise.
"Thank you, Mother," Regulus said. Kreacher then turned to Regulus and bowed.
"Kreacher has made Master Regulus his most favorite cake," Kreacher announced. "Master Regulus' cake is ready whenever Master Regulus wishes." Kreacher bowed and then popped away.
"I have a gift for Regulus too," Sirius said, impatiently. He gave a small package to Regulus, who opened it to find a small Sneakoscope.
"You'll need it in that den of snakes you plan on joining," Sirius explained. "Trust me." Walburga glared at Sirius, but said nothing.
"Wow, thank you, Sirius," said Regulus, turning the Sneakoscope over in his hands. It began whirring softly, much to Regulus' surprise.
"What are you hiding, Sirius?" Dora asked.
Sirius grinned and replied, "Follow me to the kitchen."
"You are excused," said Walburga. Orion left to go back up to his study, and Walburga remained in the drawing room.
Dora and Regulus followed Sirius into the kitchen. Dora was surprised to see it so clean and habitable; the last time she had been in Grimmauld Place's kitchen, it was a dingy, dirty, and grimy. It was truly jarring to see the kitchen in its former glory.
"Okay," began Sirius. "I made something for Kreacher."
"You made something for Kreacher for my birthday?" asked Regulus.
"Yes, but you'll be giving it to him so he thinks it's from you," explained Sirius. He pulled out a neatly wrapped package and gave it to Regulus. "Trust me."
Regulus hesitated but took the package. He called for Kreacher and the ancient house elf appeared before him, bowing deeply.
"Master Regulus has called for Kreacher?" he croaked.
"I have a gift for you, Kreacher," Regulus said. Kreacher's eyes widened. "Master Regulus needs not be giving Kreacher a gift." Kreacher looked uncomfortable.
"Take it and open it Kreacher," Regulus commanded. "It's an order."
Kreacher reluctantly opened the parcel and found a small wooden sign engraved with "Kreacher's Cupboard, Home of the Best House Elf." Kreacher burst into ugly tears when he read the sign. His batlike ears flopped furiously as he wept loudly and tugged at Regulus' robes. Regulus looked bewildered, but Sirius and Dora had doubled over in laughter.
"Master Regulus says Kreacher is the best elf," Kreacher sobbed. "Kreacher is so happy. So very happy. Kreacher will make Master Regulus another cake. Cake every day for Master Regulus. Anything for Master Regulus." Kreacher continued weeping loudly, until Regulus ordered Kreacher to stop and to make a cake for Sirius and Dora and owl it to them for their next birthdays.
Kreacher nodded vigorously, mumbling, "Anything for Master Regulus. Anything." He left the kitchen with a soft pop!, leaving Regulus speechless.
"That went so much better than I imagined," Sirius laughed. "He might love you more than Mother now!"
"That was actually really sweet, Sirius," said Dora.
"Why didn't you just give the sign to Kreacher yourself?" Regulus asked.
"He wouldn't have believed it was genuine coming from me, " Sirius explained. "Kreacher's always preferred Reg here and now that'll never change."
"That's…really thoughtful," replied Dora. "Surprisingly thoughtful."
"I'm not a total prat, Dora," retorted Sirius. "Besides, it wasn't all just for Reg here – now you and I should be getting Kreacher's cakes for our birthdays! He only gives me rubbish but now he'll have to give me a cake!" Sirius laughed boisterously while Dora and Regulus rolled their eyes.
"Happy birthday to me indeed," Regulus murmured.
"Just wait till the Puddlemere match on Saturday, Reg," said Sirius. "I've got one more surprise for you." Sirius winked and ran up the stairs, leaving a gobsmacked Regulus in his wake.
…..
15 July 1972
It was the day for the Puddlemere United match, so Sirius, Regulus, and Uncle Orion had left for the day to enjoy Quidditch. Dora, meanwhile, was getting dressed for an afternoon with witches from Aunt Walburga's social circle. Dora had been reminded, no fewer than 17 times, that if she were to embarrass Walburga or the House of Black with her bleak manners that she would be lucky to see anywhere but Grimmauld Place or Al's flat until her second year at school.
Dora dressed in light summer dress robes. It was becoming harder and harder to keep up her morph of glossy black hair. She missed her pink pixies, purple curls, emerald waves, and everything in between. She even longed to change her hair color back to its mousy brown, just to see herself in something different. Sighing, she set her hair into a soft chignon and walked downstairs to meet Aunt Walburga.
"You are not to disappoint me, young lady," Aunt Walburga greeted. Well, hello to you too, Auntie, thought Dora.
"As you wish, Aunt Walburga," Dora replied. "May I ask where we are going?"
"Nott Manor," answered Walburga. "Follow me, and don't dally."
Walburga tossed Floo powder into the fireplace and stepped in, calling "Nott Manor!" Dora braced herself and followed suit.
"Madam Black, Miss Black," greeted the Nott house elf, Tippy. "Welcome. Mistress is needing you in the garden."
Tippy led Dora and Walburga out to the Nott Manor gardens. They were breathtaking and well cared for.
"Walburga, lovely to see you again," an elegant woman greeted. She was a slight, frail thing, looking as if she could break with one good hex, or so Dora thought.
"I believe I haven't had the pleasure of meeting your…niece?" the elderly woman asked.
"Yes, this is my niece, Pandora Black," Walburga introduced, while Dora curtsied. "Miss Black is my brother Alphard's daughter."
"Pandora, this is Ariadne Nott," Walburga announced.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Madam Nott," Dora said. "Your gardens are beautiful." Walburga nodded approvingly at Dora's manners.
"I heard you are starting at Hogwarts this September, Miss Black?"
"Yes, ma'am," Dora replied. "I look forward to my studies."
"Such a young thing like you needn't bother with too many studies," observed Madam Nott. "Charms will be most helpful for running a home, as are potions," she continued. "The rest of your subjects are quite optional for a young witch such as yourself."
Dora felt the heat rising to her cheeks and struggled to contain her anger. "That's a load of ru—"
"Really lovely advice, Ariadne," Walburga cut in. "Pandora will take your guidance to heart." Walburga glared at Dora, who was fuming. Dora swallowed her pride and smirked at Madam Nott, excusing herself to join the next most pleasant person she could find, who happened to be her cousin, Narcissa.
"Hello Cissa," Dora said, feigning enthusiasm. "How are your summer holidays?"
"Quite well, Dora," Cissa replied, with a smile. "I spent the last two weeks at Malfoy Manor preparing the wing Lucius and I will share when we are married next summer."
"How exciting," Dora deadpanned.
"Very exciting indeed," Cissa gushed. "The gardens at Malfoy Manor are even grander than those here," she continued. "Ariadne's garden is rather quaint, don't you think?"
This is torture, Dora thought. Torture. Switch the subject!
"What are your favorite classes at school, Cissa?" asked Dora.
"I enjoy Herbology, Potions, and Charms," Cissa voiced. "I find little else useful."
"What about Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Dora asked.
"I hardly need a class to be excel against foes," Cissa said. "Lucius is better suited for that role."
"Don't you want a career?" asked Dora, exasperated.
Narcissa laughed; it was an affected, well-rehearsed society laugh. Aunt Walburga had been trying to demonstrate to Dora how to produce a similar laugh but Dora found it disingenuous.
"Witches in our circles hardly need careers, Dora," commented Cissa. "Besides, I hear you'll scarcely want for eligible suitors, none of whom need additional gold."
"Why, Narcissa, what leads you to speak of suitors?" asked another elegant woman. This one had extravagant silk robes and an enormous opal pendant hanging on her neck.
"For my young cousin, Madam Rookwood," Cissa elucidated. "I hope she has as much good fortune as I have. Ah, but where are my manners? Please, Madam Rookwood," continued Cissa, "I'd like to introduce you to my cousin, Pandora Black. She is to begin at Hogwarts in September with Regulus."
"My Augustus begins this fall as well," noted Madam Rookwood. "He's a handsome, well-mannered young man. I expect he will do great things." Madam Rookwood smirked with pride in Dora's direction.
"I look forward to welcoming him to Slytherin. As a prefect, I have the privilege of guiding first years to the dungeons after the Welcome Feast," Cissa said.
"Ah, yes, you left quite an impression on my Orpheus this past fall, Miss Black," another woman cut in.
"Madam Nott, wonderful for you to have come joined us," Cissa noticed. "Have you met my cousin, Pandora Black?"
"I had the pleasure of meeting young Miss Black at the Malfoys' Gala last winter," Madam Nott shared, airily. "Young Miss Black left quite the impression on my son."
"It's nice to see you again, Madam Nott," Dora said, growing bored with the conversation. "Very nice to meet you as well, Madam Rookwood. I look forward to meeting your son in the fall. If you'll excuse me, I was hoping to meet my Grandmother Irma today." Dora curtsied before the women, with Madam Rookwood looking especially pleased that Dora had mentioned her son rather than Madam Nott's.
Dora hoped that speaking with her Grandmother Irma might lead to slightly better conversations, so she curtsied before her while Irma introduced her own friends: Persephone Yaxley, Guinevere Goyle, and Seraphina Selwyn. However, Dora was hastily disappointed when the conversation revolved around pureblood mania.
"Ariadne's son still hasn't married," Irma gossiped to Persephone. "Though he has at least two children, neither of which are appropriate heirs. He seems to prefer novel company over the stability of marriage."
"He is welcome to enjoy any company he likes after he produces an acceptable heir," commented Seraphina.
"Ariadne is becoming desperate for her son to produce an heir," Guinevere chatted. "She is considering a half-blood from France."
The women shuddered at the thought. "French?" "Half-blood?" "Filth?" "Unclean!" "Tainting the family blood line!" Dora heard each of these terms in rapid succession and decided to excuse herself from this conversation too. She heard her mother's name and whipped around to see none other than Andromeda Tonks entering the gardens.
Bellatrix was upon her immediately. "HOW DARE YOU?!" she screamed at Andromeda. "AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO SHAME OUR FAMILY?"
Andromeda was calm. "I was invited here by Mistress Nott, Bella," she said evenly. "I believe such outbursts are rather improper, don't you?"
"YOU! YOU LET ALL PROPRIETY GO WHEN YOU RAN OFF WITH THE FILTH!" Now it was Aunt Druella screeching at Andromeda. Narcissa was standing just behind Druella, a hint of pink gracing her cheeks. She must be embarrassed, Dora thought; her future mother-in-law, Mistress Malfoy was here too.
"Now, now," Madam Nott cut in, "this is hardly the occasion for family squabbles. Let us welcome Andromeda as we always have." Bellatrix and Druella were visibly seething, but they turned around and sat at the farthest end of the gardens away from Andromeda.
"Ariadne must be rather desperate," an older witch whispered behind Dora to another witch. "She thinks she may be able to separate Andromeda from her unfortunate…union…and bind the girl to her own son."
The other witch replied, "Ariadne thought that if Andromeda saw her sisters and mother, she may see reason to leave the Mudblood and their brat, though Druella and Bella might have ruined Ariadne's scheme."
Dora decided she could hear no more of the witches' gossiping and turned around to get as far away from everyone as possible, manners be damned. She turned and bumped into another witch, knocking herself to the ground in the process. Clumsiness can't be trained out, apparently, Dora thought.
It was Andromeda that Dora had run into. Andromeda bent down and helped Dora back on her feet. "I don't believe we've met?" Andromeda ventured. "I am Andromeda Tonks." Dora looked into her mother's face, realizing just how much she looked like Andromeda in her current morph.
"We haven't," Dora said hastily. "I'm Pandora."
"Pandora?"
"Black."
Andromeda's eyes narrowed slightly. "Whose child are you? Unless my parents have adopted?"
"No, no, no," Dora rushed. "I'm Alphard's daughter."
"Alphard had a child?" Andromeda's eyebrows raised. "This means you are my cousin," Andromeda smiled widely. Dora grinned back, trying hard not to squeeze Andromeda into a tight hug.
"I lived in America with my mum till she died last year," Dora lied. "I moved to England just after my eleventh birthday."
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Pandora," Andromeda lamented. "Who brought you here?"
"Aunt Walburga," Dora shared. "I live with Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion as it was improper for me to live with Father, or so they tell me." Dora rolled her eyes.
Andromeda laughed; it wasn't the society laugh she had heard from Narcissa, but the real laugh Dora had grown up hearing.
"What are you doing next to Dora?" Walburga demanded. "Ariadne may have allowed you here, but I am not permitting you to speak to my niece."
"Dora?" Andromeda asked, a huge grin growing on her face.
"It's what my family calls me," Dora explained.
"It's what my husband calls our daughter," Andromeda said, softly. "Her name is Nymphadora."
Dora fought back tears, thinking of her father. She had been too startled by the last several minutes to let it sink in that she was finally spending time with her mother, who she dearly missed.
"Dora, do not associate yourself with this blood traitor. She is no cousin of yours," Walburga sneered. "Narcissa is waiting for you to join her."
Dora looked back on her mother, Andromeda, sadly. "Excuse me," she mumbled. There was sadness in Andromeda's eyes too, but there was little else Dora could do to comfort herself or her mother in the midst of such family distress.
…..
24 July 1972
"Please, please, please can we go today?" Regulus pleaded with his mother over breakfast.
"Sirius' letter has yet to arrive, Regulus," drawled Orion. "We will wait until his letter arrives with his book list to go to Diagon Alley together."
Regulus had been trying to persuade Walburga and Orion to take him school shopping, as Dora had Al's permission to use her wand in front of the others (she had been keeping it on her person since she arrived in the new timeline, but finally had the opportunity to use it and pass it off as her late mother's wand). Regulus desperately wanted his own wand, now that Dora had hers and Sirius had his for a year.
"We'll be there soon enough, Reg," Dora soothed him.
"Easy for you to say – you already have a wand!" Regulus pouted.
"I'm excited too, Reg," Dora said. "I've never been to Diagon Alley before," she lied.
"It's the best, Dora," Sirius cut in. "We have to go for ice cream at Florean Fortescue's, and Zonko's has everything you'll need to play pranks on everyone else."
"You are forbidden to go to Zonko's this year," Walburga cut off. "I will have no more letters from the Headmaster about your misdeeds. You are an embarrassment to our family name."
"Thanks mother," Sirius smirked. "That means a lot to me."
Walburga slapped Sirius across the face and snarled, "Your insolence will cost you, you brat. Get out of my sight."
Sirius took the missive and sped away from the dining room.
"Regulus, you'll be a good boy and wait until your brother's letter comes in," Walburga grumbled. "I will hear no more of your begging. I will not have two failures in my household." Regulus put his head down, disappointed, and Dora struggled to keep her anger under control again. She was itching to get out of Grimmauld Place.
The next few hours turned into a week, and Sirius had not come home. Neither Walburga nor Orion seemed to outwardly notice his absence. Dora was growing worried.
"Reg, isn't anyone trying to figure out where Sirius is?" Dora asked, the two of them playing Exploding Snap in the smaller drawing room.
"I'm sure he'll come 'round," Regulus stated. "This isn't the first time he's run off for more than a day."
"Where does he go?"
"Usually Uncle Al's, but Al came by this morning and said Sirius hadn't been staying with him," Regulus explained.
"Do you think he went off to visit one of his friends?" Dora inquired.
"If he did, he's an idiot," Regulus said. "After the earful Mother gave him a few weeks ago, he'd be daft to try that."
Unfortunately, Sirius had done exactly that – the Potters had sent word to Walburga and Orion that Sirius had Floo'ed to their home a few nights prior. While the Potters were under the impression that Sirius had gotten permission from his parents to join them, Walburga let them know, in no uncertain terms, that Sirius belonged at Grimmauld Place. Walburga's rage was only slightly mollified after confirming that the Potters were purebloods.
Dora could hear Walburga's screeching from her room upstairs when Sirius finally arrived through the Floo that evening. In between her screeching, she overheard Sirius' screams. Dora suspected the Cruciatus Curse again. After what seemed like an interminable amount of time, Dora heard the unmistakable shuffling and door slamming to Sirius' room.
Dora stuck her head out into the hallway and crept down to Sirius' room. She knocked lightly and Sirius' hoarse voice called "Enter."
"Wotcher, Sirius," Dora whispered. Sirius was wincing and his eyes were red-rimmed. He was curled up on his bed clutching his knees to his chest. Dora had her wand and cast a few diagnostic spells on him, but unfortunately, the Cruciatus Curse left little physically wrong with its victim.
Dora sighed and sat down in the bed next to Sirius, rubbing small circles on his back. Sirius began sobbing softly, and Dora put her arms around him and held him tightly.
"You'll be back at school soon, Sirius," Dora soothed.
"Not soon enough," Sirius cried. "I hate it here so much. I wish I'd never been born," he sobbed.
"Don't say that, Sirius," Dora whispered. "Walburga and Orion won't be around forever, and then you'll still have me and Reg. I promise we'll stay by your side." Sirius sniffled, and Dora conjured tissues for him to use.
Sirius stared at Dora, momentarily distracted, and asked, "How did you do that? That's really advanced magic."
Dora realized her mistake; eleven year olds shouldn't be able to conjure items out of thin air.
"Something my mum taught me," Dora lied.
"Still requires a lot of skill," Sirius wondered. "You already know a lot of magic then, don't you?" He was sitting up now, intrigued by Dora's skills.
"Maybe I get it from my mum's side," Dora suggested. Please believe me, please. "My mum liked teaching me."
"You'll probably be top of your class at Hogwarts," Sirius mused. "I never took you for a swot."
"Just because I know some magic doesn't mean I'll like writing essays," Dora said, rolling her eyes. "Can't say I'm excited for that."
"I bet you'll be part of the Slug Club," Sirius said. "You're probably going to be great at potions too."
"What's that?" Dora asked, genuinely curious. The only Potions Master she'd ever known was Severus Snape, and he had only been at Hogwarts for a few years by the time she started in her original timeline.
"Professor Slughorn's special club," Sirius explained. "Old Sluggy likes to collect the best students and invites them to dinners and parties where they meet his other favorite students. He knows a ton of Quidditch players. James and I went to one of his first dinners but haven't been invited since. James' grandfather invented that Sleakeazy's Hair Potion and made loads of gold from it, and since I'm the sodding heir of the House of Black, I think Sluggy bet we'd be better at potions, but we're not."
"Fascinating," Dora said. "I wonder if I'll be good enough for him."
"You've got to be really good at potions or something else, like Quidditch," Sirius elaborated. "Or one of his favorite Slytherins, 'cause he's head of Slytherin house."
"Reg'll get in," Sirius continued. "You wouldn't know it, but he's good on a broomstick. He'll probably make the Quidditch team when he's a second year."
"What subjects do you like best, Sirius?" asked Dora, glad that Sirius was climbing out of his depression.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Sirius said quickly. "Transfiguration and Charms next."
"What do you want to do after Hogwarts?"
"If I'm the heir, I can't do anything," Sirius grumbled. "My life would be filled with pointless, pompous shit."
"What if Regulus was the heir?"
Sirius thought for a moment. "I'd like to be an Auror," he stated.
"I wanted to be an Auror too," Dora confessed. "Now I'm not so sure." In this timeline, I'll need a different job, she thought sadly. She, Pandora Black, needed to be out of her own way – Nymphadora Tonks' way – in order for Tonks to succeed as an Auror.
"Mother wouldn't approve of that, anyway," Sirius stated.
"I don't care what she thinks," Dora said hotly. "It's my life, not hers, and I'm not going to be the heir of anything. Besides, she's not my mother."
"Count yourself lucky, Dora," Sirius said, sadly. "I hope you get what you want. Not all of us do."
Sirius and Dora sat in silence for several minutes until Dora gave him one last tight hug.
"I should head back to my room," Dora murmured. "Good night, Sirius."
"'Night, Dora," Sirius mumbled, curling back up in his bed and wrapping the blankets around his tired body.