can·dor
/ˈkandər/
"the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness."
•
December 23, 1995
Saturday
•
s.g.

So, funny story. Hera and I almost didn't make it here.

Harry had to leave the school earlier before the train left. I didn't know he did, so when Hera and I got on the train, we both stood there like lost puppies. Luckily, but also for some weird reason, Laddie happened to be going to the same place.

His eyes had been red. I wanted to reach out and ask if he was okay, but I didn't and let him explain the existence of the Order of the Phoenix and how his family was staying at the same place as Professor Lupin. He didn't know why Harry had left early either.

Then, just to get to the set of flats we're currently at, we had to go on this death trap called the night bus. I never want to go on it again.

Now, Laddie, Hera, and I are all standing outside said set of flats.

Hera was growing impatient. "Which flat is it?"

"Just wait," Laddie directed.

"I don't want to wait, Ladan. I'm cold."

"Well, you have to wait."

Hera groaned and I started tapping my foot. I could only hope I didn't look as nervous as I felt. My stomach was a whirlpool, and I knew my senses had been heightened.

I started popping my fingers out of habit next. The cracking of them was loud, even with the wind and the pedestrians. It earned me a glare from Laddie.

"Why were you upset on the train?" I ended up asking. If he didn't want to tell me, he wouldn't, but I care about him to ask.

"Alex and I broke up."

I wasn't surprised. I could tell it was coming. I wrapped my right arm around Laddie and pulled him into a side hug. His body heat was comforting in the cold, honestly. "Are you okay?"

Laddie laid his head on mine. "Yeah. If he doesn't want me, there's no point in making him stay."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "If you need anything, you'll let me know, yeah?"

"That's so sad," Hera added. "But which one is the damn flat Ladan!" She was getting very annoyed.

"I said you have to wait!" Laddie threw back.

Hera groaned and kicked snow at us.

"Girl, don't test me-" I threatened, but then the flats started to split apart.

That was definitely a magical house. I watched as a new flat was revealed. Number twelve. All the neighbors that I could see through the windows seemed unfazed by the movement of their own flats.

"That's something I thought I'd never see," I commented and followed Laddie and Hera to the door.

"What do you think we look like to the muggles right now?" Hera asked.

Laddie shrugged and knocked on the door. "Not sure."

"Who's all here-" I got cut off by the door opening and Hera practically jumping on the person who opened it.

"Hello, brother," Laddie said with absolutely no emotion at all.

"You look rough," Aziz said back from over Hera's shoulder.

"Because I've been freezing my arse off in the cold."

Hera and Aziz pulled out of their hug and ventured further into the house, leaving me and Laddie to trail behind. I shut the door behind me before stuffing my hands into my pockets.

"The house is pretty empty," Aziz started explaining. "Most of the group went to St. Mungos."

"Why are they at St. Mungos?" Hera questioned.

I tuned out the rest of the conversation as I started to think about St. Mungos myself. Being a healer was something I decided I wanted to do a while back. I want to help people in a way no one ever helped me. Studying healing hasn't been much on my mind lately, I probably need to get back into it after the break.

"Estella?" My gaze flicked from the floor to Professor Lupin.

He didn't look much different from the last time I saw him.. Only older. He looked much older than he actually is, surely. I made sure to keep my left hand firmly in my pocket. I didn't want to upset him with the words on my hand.. I didn't want him to think I was the one who put those god-awful words there.

"Hello, Professor Lupin."

"Oh, you don't have to call me that. I'm not your professor anymore."

"Right, yeah. It's a habit."

"Understandable. Harry and the others still slip up sometimes."

"Is my niece here?" A cheerful voice came from behind Professor Lupin. I didn't think Hera had any relatives here.. So that could only mean one thing...

I lean to the side to see if my suspicion was correct. There was Sirius Black in the flesh and a woman with purple hair next to him.

"What the fuck?!" That came from Hera.

Sirius pointed at her. "Ah yes, I get that a lot."

Hera had no hesitation in pulling out her wand and pointing it at Sirius. I could see the determination in her eyes, wheels spinning in her head as she was trying to think of a spell.

Before she could, I noticed how Aziz started to step towards her, but the woman with the purple hair beat him to it.

"I like her," She said, her hair turning a mimic of Hera's orange. "I bet she could take you in a duel, Sirius."

Sirius rubbed his hands together as if it were cold in the room. "I'm itching for a duel, but alas, those days are over."

Aziz lowered Hera's hand. "I'll explain everything."

"How did you change your hair color?" I ended up asking. That seemed like a fun spell to know.

The woman grinned. "I'm a Metamorphmagus. That means I can change my appearance at will. Here, watch." Her nose figured into a pig's snout.

I grinned back. That had to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen, and the standards for that were pretty high. "Wicked."

"Aziz, Laddie-" Professor Lupin started talking. "Why don't we explain everything to Miss. Sincaid in the other room?"

Sirius' eyebrow quirked up. "Sincaid? That would explain the urgency to hex me."

"What-" Hera's question was cut off by Aziz dragging her into an unknown room, Professor Lupin and Laddie following close behind.

All the attention turned from them to me. "I'm Tonks- by the way. I'm your cousin.. Third, if you want to get technical, but still your cousin!"

"How big is this family exactly?"

"I can inform you of that. Now, if you'll follow me, I believe I have some explaining to do.." Sirius began to walk up the stairs, but I hung back, unsure.

Sirius stopped when he realized I wasn't following and turned around with a sigh. "Peter Pettigrew framed me. Dumbledore and Harry found out and that's why I've been hiding here. You can trust me," He explained calmly.

I had questions about that story, but it wasn't the one I wanted to hear about right now. I turned back towards Tonks, who only nodded at me before walking to that room the others were in. I took a breath and followed Sirius up the stairs.

We didn't speak as he led me down the foyer. The house was old, but the tensile wrapped down the railing and the Christmas tree downstairs made it look prettier.

Sirius guided us to the second to last room and opened the door, allowing me to enter first. Inside, it wasn't a bedroom like I had been anticipating, it was a room with a tree with branches long enough to cover every wall.. Which it did.

"What is this place?" I asked, my attention turning all over the room.

"This," Sirius walked up beside me. "Is the Black family tree. Since you wanted to know.." He gestured around.

The number of names- the number of faces- My family seemed as if it could take up half of a city.. And that was only my father's side. What about my mother's? Does she have a big family too? Or did..

My focus changed to the names that were burnt out. "Why are some of them burned?"

"It's my family's mark of disownment," Sirius pointed to one of them. "My mother did that after I ran away."

My face softened a little. "Why'd you run?"

He didn't answer. "What do you know of the Black family?"

"They're- one of the richest pureblood families, and that a lot of them serve you-know-who."

I noticed how he didn't call himself a 'Black.'

Sirius nodded and then answered the question I asked. "I couldn't take my parent's abuse and views anymore, so I left."

"What about my father?" I couldn't help but ask.

Sirius huffed a laugh. "My parents always liked him. He was a very big supporter of you-know-who.. Joined the Death Eaters at sixteen. We hadn't spoken since I ran away until he showed up at my doorstep in tears because his girlfriend-" He looked at me. "Was pregnant with you."

My stomach dropped like we had been slowly getting to the top of a roller coaster, waiting for us to drop down the big drop. My father was a death eater. My father was in a hate group.

"After that, we bonded a bit more. Remus was good friends with your mother and Remus and I..." He trailed off, looking wistful. It didn't take me long to connect what he was trying to say, that they might've had something going on at the time. "It just seemed like an obligation, but Regulus was still a Death Eater.. And the day after you were born, he was killed by them."

My mouth went dry, my vision foggy. He barely got to spend any time with me.. And he was killed by people who he might've trusted? My brain didn't know how to process it all, and if my toes hadn't been gripping the floor, I would've gone tumbling back.

"You have his eyes."

"My dad's?" I almost felt sick.

Sirius nodded and pointed with his pointer finger to another burnt spot on the tree. "That's you." Instead of mine having a silhouette of me and my name, there was no trace of me at all. "Regulus did that so our parents wouldn't find you." He put his middle finger on the burnt spot above. "That's your mother, Aspen. The Death Eaters were after her family, so if they found out she was bearing Regulus' child.. Well, you wouldn't be standing here now, but I'll let her tell that story."

Aspen. Aspen. AspenAspenAspenAspen-

I'll let her tell that story. I'lllethertellthatstory.

I sucked in a breath. "What do you mean?"

Sirius' face looked like his mother had just caught him trying to steal something out of her room. Was he not supposed to tell me that? "Uh, when Remus got your letter, he immediately wrote to your mother- she's coming here."

I'm going to meet my mother. I'm going to meet my mother. Aspen.

That echoed in my mind almost as much as her name did.

"Where is she?"

"She's been in America for years. Even as a witch, the journey from there to here takes a while."

My toes lost their grip and I fell against the wall.

"I know this is a lot to take in-" Sirius began but I put my hand up, my brain deceiving my feelings.

"No. Tell me more."

"There isn't really much more to tell from my side. I could show you his room if you'd like?"

I tried to say yes, but my throat burned when I tried to say the word. I nodded instead and Sirius led me throughout the house once more.

I couldn't bring myself to ask more questions. If I heard more answers, I was positive I would break down. I decided on asking Sirius some questions about himself because I had a few.

"How old were you when you ran away?"

"I was sixteen."

"Where did you go?"

Sirius looked sad now. "The Potters. They were like my second family- Ah! We're here."

I stood in front of a tall door that had a plate attached to it. 'Regulus Arcturus Black,' it read.

My mind flashed back to the tree. Most of the names on there were constellations. "Does everyone in the family have an astronomy name?"

"Mostly. Even you do, Estella means-"

"Star," I finished for him. "I know."

"I think your name has a double meaning. You'll have to ask your mother when she gets here." Sirius pushed the door open. "I'm going to go join the others. This is something you need to do on your own."

I didn't want to do it on my own, but Sirius was already gone before I could even beg for him to stay. I took a deep breath and walked into the room.

It was a mess. I doubted it had been cleaned since he died. His bed was unmade, his walls were green, clothes were hanging out of drawers.. But my dorm gets messier, so I couldn't judge an untidy room.

I walked around the room, reading the newspaper clippings that were on the walls. They were all about The Dark Lord. I supposed being a death eater was something he wanted and not something he was forced to be. I noticed next a photo on the dresser. I picked it up and wiped the dust off of it before seeing what I guessed was my father and... A younger Professor Covington.

My dad had messy black hair, and my brown eyes the same shade as his. The same light in them that's in mine. My own eyes were staring back at me. I didn't linger on how young Professor Covington looked, because I couldn't stand to look at that picture any longer. I set it down, the picture itself on top of the dresser so I didn't have to see it anymore. I rubbed my eyes and sniffled. I knew I would start crying again. For the first time in my life, I finally knew what one of my parents looked like. I moved away from the dresser and threw everything off the bed so I could sit on it.

I took a few deep breaths to keep from sobbing and opened the bedside table's drawer. I dug through it, having a feeling in my gut that I might find something else, but it was all just more newspapers.. Until I saw an envelope peeking out from under one of them. I grabbed it quickly and read the front of it. 'Mon coeur,' it said. I knew it was French, but I wasn't sure what. I opened it anyway.

'Mon cher,

If Kreacher gave you this, then it means I'm dead. I'm so sorry. I found a way to stop The Dark Lord, for good this time. I've told Caleb my plan. He knows the truth. I wish it was so easy to run away as Sirius did. I wish I could just whisk you and our future child away. We could go to the states, or with your distant relatives in you know where.'

I took a break from reading the letter to digest all of that. This letter was obviously written before I was born. Sirius said my father was killed by death eaters, but whatever that is, it must be a lie and Professor Covington knows the truth. But if the letter is here, then my mother never got it. She doesn't know the truth. Where are my other relatives? This whole letter carefully hides who my mother is, but my mother would've known it's for her. That was clever. I continued on.

'But since I can't, you need to. You need to get as far away from all of this as possible. They're after your family, mon amour. I can't risk you or the child, especially with me not being there to protect you. I love you and our child so much. Please let them know that as they grow up, that their père didn't want to leave them. My last wish to them is that you'll give them the necklace that's in the envelope as well. I'll watch both of you from beyond the stars.

Vôtre pour toujours,
Reg'

I went immediately back for the envelope. I reached in it with shaking hands and pulled out the necklace. It was shaped like a star. I held it in my hand and noticed the faint carving of 'E.M.C'

Estella Marleigh... The C must be my mother's last name.

I hooked the necklace around my neck, my hands trembling even more than they already were. Once it was secure around my neck, I let the cries come.

•
December 24, 1995
Sunday
•

Christmas Eve with the order had to be one of the best I've had in a while. Harry and the rest of the Weasleys were back, Laddie's family was there (His mother has got to be one of the nicest people I have ever met), Sirius had been singing carols the whole day, Hera and I helped Mrs. Weasley make eggnog, everything was great.

Except for the black hole I still felt from yesterday. I tried not to think about it, but it must've been so obvious that I hadn't been fine since yesterday because at least four people had asked me if I was okay.

At this moment, everyone was sitting at the dinner table, having Christmas Eve dinner. Hera and Aziz were telling stories about the family dinners they've had in the past, The Weasleys were doing the same thing at the other end of the table. Harry and Sirius were in the middle, talking, but I wasn't listening to anything. When I was sad, my appetite didn't exist. I had eaten all of my mashed potatoes, but I was making faces with my peas now.

"Stella," Laddie (who was across from me) nudged my foot with his own. "Are you okay?"

"Hm?" I hummed and looked up at him. I could feel Hera's eyes on me too.

"Are you okay?" He repeated.

"Yeah. Just tired," which I was. I was emotionally drained.

"Do you want to talk about it-" Hera started but I shook my head.

"Not tonight. I'm done eating." I pushed my plate away from me and walked out of the kitchen, going to the balcony before I could be followed.

My view from the balcony was just a set of flats, and muggles walking who I knew couldn't see me. I wondered if I even existed to them.

I was followed like I didn't want to be, but it wasn't by Hera or Laddie. I turned around to see who opened the balcony door. It was Professor Lupin. He didn't say a word as he stood next to me, leaning against the railing. I hid my hand. I think he noticed, but he didn't ask.

"Why'd you leave dinner?"

"I wasn't hungry."

Professor Lupin took that as an answer and didn't egg it on anymore. "Did you know I'm one of your godparents?"

I almost fell off the balcony. "What?"

"It was your mum's doing."

"Why was I in the orphanage then?" I sputtered out. I didn't mean to sound so bitter.

"That's a.. long story. The short answer to that is I had gone to get you, but the Griffins had already adopted you out."

I watched my breath turn into fog because of the cold. "You said you're one of my godparents, who are the others?"

Professor Lupin opened his mouth to speak, but someone else came on the balcony.

"Lupin, my mum needs you," Ron said.

"We can finish this conversation later." Professor Lupin and Ron went back into the house. I decided I was cold so I did as well.

Dinner seemed to be over because mostly everyone was in the sitting room. There was another redhead whom I didn't recognize walking into another room. I assumed he was just another Weasley. I spotted the redhead I wanted to talk to and walked up to her.

"I got you hot chocolate. I know you love it," Hera handed me a teacup.

I gasped. "With the tiny marshmallows?"

"Especially with those."

I took a sip of it, knowing full well it left a mustache on my face, but I didn't really care.

"Do you want to hear what Sirius told me yesterday?"

"Yes," Hera answered instantly.

We were about to head up the stairs when a voice echoed through the house.

"Where is she?!" It was an American woman.. Wait-

The woman entered the sitting room, everyone looking at her. Her eyes were deep green and her hair dark brown, like mine. My face fell ajar. I'm looking at my mother.

Sirius went up to her with his arms stretched out. "Aspen! How was America?"

But her eyes were locked with mine. She ignored Sirius and started walking up to me. I gripped Hera's arm.

My mother looked at me and smiled. "Hello, Estella. I'm your mom."

•
pes· si· mis· tic
\ ˌpe-sə-ˈmi-stik \
" the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life "

•

h.s.

Stella's teacup she was holding shattered on the ground in time with my shrill response,"What?!"

Stella's mother, Aspen is what she called herself, stared at Stella like she was her entire world. Her eyes sparkled, her mouth slightly agape.

When I looked over at Stella, she looked like she was either about to die on the spot or burst out crying. But she did neither, she just stood there frozen.

"You're the one who left Stella?" I felt rage fill me as Aziz's hand grabbed my arm as I bolted at her, I wanted to shake him off but I didn't,"All alone? With no one to care for her? The reason she had to go through so much trauma with Maryanne and Joseph? And you're expecting to just be here?"

Aspen didn't say anything and I felt a tear fall down my cheek in anger. Stella was my sister, my best friend. She didn't deserve her mother to randomly show up sixteen years later without any explanation why.

"Hera, stand down," Aziz whispered in my ear,"Please."

I hated that he was there, that he was holding me back. But I loved him all the same. I let go of my tenseness and Laddie was suddenly at my other arm, grabbing it gently as he whispered as well,"Aziz will explain later, okay?"

I was disgusted that Laddie felt like he could touch me but I digressed because it seemed he had no idea this was happening either and let them both lead me into a different room, Fred and George following behind us.

We reached a hallway, shutting the door behind us, when I whipped out of their touch and gave Aziz a confused look,"What the fuck, Aziz?"

"Hera, calm down," he sounded like he was tired, wishing he could tell me more but he was sworn to secrecy,"Sirius will explain."

"I'd prefer you tell me," my voice faltered, wishing deeply to be with Stella right now instead of in a hallway being told that some random man I didn't know would explain her entire backstory to me,"Why is she here?"

"I can't tell you, you have to trust me," Aziz pulled me into a hug, his hand cradling the back of my head as he put his chin on top of my head.

I pulled away from Aziz, not really in the spirit to be near him and I looked over at Laddie, he just shrugged but his face was white as a sheet in shock,"Don't ask me, I didn't know Aspen was her mom."

"But you two knew about her?" I glanced between them.

"We didn't know what she looked like or her character, all we knew was she was a part of the Order and in America," Laddie looked pitiful, I wonder if he longed to be in the room where it was all happening as well. His voice suddenly went haunting and quiet as he mumbled,"She..looks just like her."

We stood there in silence, actually taking in that she did, in fact, look just like Stella but with different eyes. Stella had Regulus Black's eyes. Her father.

I felt all gravity increase on me when I realized that I never told Stella about him, how I knew he was her father and how I knew that Caleb knew him. That Caleb had a thing for him. That Caleb was there.

I should've told her. I guess I forgot. Just like I forgot Fred and George followed us into the hallway when one of them cleared their throats.

"Hera," I turned to see Fred and George approach me, George crossed his arms as he had a slight smirk to his lips,"there's someone here that keeps asking for you."

"Uh.." I glanced at Laddie and then Aziz,"Who?"

"All I know is they know your uncle Newt," Fred had a funny smirk on his face like what he was telling me was hilarious,"C'mon."

I furrowed my eyebrows, contemplating even going after them as they walked into the other room. Laddie let out a slight laugh," Have fun."

"I'm not sure if I want to."

"It's only Fred and George," Aziz inquired.

"Yeah, exactly," I bit my lip in thought,"What if it's a prank?"

"Just go. Yell if you need me or something, I won't be far behind."

I wondered if Aziz felt bad for not telling me about Aspen, but it seemed that he didn't even know about her being Stella's mother either according to Laddie.

I groaned quietly when I heard them sing,"Hera.." in a singsong voice simultaneously down the hall.

I dragged my feet across the floor as I made my way into the other room, following their laughs and guffaws until I found myself standing in front of a door.

I sighed before I opened the door to see a table with Fred, George, and another redhead that I didn't recognize.

"Uh..hello," I blinked, staring at the stranger.

The first thing I noticed was his curly, dark-orangey auburn hair pulled back into a low ponytail but tendrils still fell from where he didn't get it all.

His face was square but his cheekbones were defined as he had a slight tan and freckles dotted every inch on his face.

I could see a slight burn scar on his forearm, the hair singed off on that arm entirely as it poked out of his dark gray sweater.

His eyes were the color of amber and honey with dark brown flecks that dotted around his pupils.

With him sitting next to Fred and George, I could tell that there was no denying it. This man was a Weasley.

"Hi there," he grinned as he stood up, standing over six foot and towering over me easily, before walking over to me and holding his hand out,"I'm Charlie."

I could tell by the slight Romanian accent that tinted his words that he was who Uncle Newt knew from the dragon program.

I shook his hand,"Hera."

He grinned wider, stepping away a few feet and crossing his arms,"So, you're the one Newt says that's feisty enough to handle dragons?"

I almost snorted,"I can handle more than you think."

"Oh, I have no doubt," he looked me up and down in curiosity, making me do the same to him.

That made him laugh. I just raised my eyebrows.

"Have you decided if you're going to do the program?" He inquired.

I let out a sigh, laughing sarcastically,"I knew this was a ploy from Uncle Newt."

His face suddenly fell,"Oh no, I promise it's not. I was just curious."

His charisma melted away as his cheeks tinted pink from embarrassment,"Newt mentioned you were interested. He doesn't even know I'm here."

"Oh," I raised my eyebrows,"uh, sorry. He sends me so many letters about the program and it gets kind of..."

"Annoying?" He finished my sentence for me,"I always tell him not to send so many. It's probably so irritating."

""Probably" is reaching," I admitted, he nodded,"But...I'm still deciding so.."

"Well, you'll have a friend there if you ever decide," he grinned again and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. It was nice to hear that but I wasn't ready to admit that.

I could hear the twins snickering and I looked around Charlie, they saw me and shut up,"You two done?"

"Don't pay them any attention," Charlie turned and gave them a raised eyebrow,"I have so much dirt on them, they have enough to clean themselves for the rest of their lives. It would be a shame if Mum..."

"Fine!" Fred whined.

"We're going!" George grimaced.

They rushed out of the room and Charlie chuckled,"Never gets old."

"I think you'll have to tell me some of that dirt for future reference," I laughed, watching his face turn soft before George suddenly appeared again.

"I thought I said-"

"Hera," Luke suddenly appeared in the doorway behind George, smiling from ear to ear,"Hey, belle."

I didn't even have time to process as I looked at him up and down, he was wearing his stupid beanie that he always wore.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I blurted out, Luke's face fell.

"Well, that's not how I thought you'd react," Luke grumbled.

"How did you even get here?" I wanted to throw him into the wall, throw him out of the house in general. Realizing that ever since I'd been here, I hadn't thought of him once. And I had been happy.

"Laddie told me," rage filled me as his eyes softened in fake surrender,"I figured-"

"No, you need to leave," I grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the door,"Now."

Charlie must've not known who Luke was because his eyebrow was quirked up as he followed behind us, a slight laugh on his lips.

"Wha-? Hera, why?"

"You know exactly why."

I was still mad at him and the fact he just showed up in the middle of nowhere unannounced made it worse. I didn't want to see him. Not now. I possibly considered not ever.

"Hera, I'm sorry."

"No, you lost that when you got jealous over Fred and George and abandoning our plans every time. What next? Getting jealous over Laddie? Or leaving me alone in the middle of the night when we planned something?"

I looked over at Charlie,"You gonna get mad that I was just standing in a room with Charlie Weasley? A man I haven't even met before?"

I could tell that when Luke walked in, he hadn't been happy to see someone else in the room.

"Hera-"

"You're either leaving and giving me space so I can enjoy my Christmas or we're done," it came out so fast that I had no idea what I said until a few seconds after.

His face went slack, his mouth hanging open,"What..?"

"You either walk out that door," I pointed to the front door,"or I dump your ass."

He couldn't seem to speak. I kept going.

"It's your choice, Luke, but I'm fucking done. If I come back to Hogwarts after break and you still get jealous over every man I'm near or you haven't found your time compass, I will leave you the first time it happens. Are we clear?"

Luke stared at me like I was insane. I didn't care. I was beyond caring. I didn't deserve to be with a man who got mad every time I messed up when he messed up more than I did. With everything going on in my life, from my family to my imminent future, I didn't need to be stressed over him. No man or woman was worth the stress.

"Hera," I was optimistic that he'd just leave. Even if I didn't care, I didn't want to quit so easily. I had hope he'd help make this work,"I think you really need me here."

I felt my body want to disintegrate into the floor, I wanted to punch a wall, I wanted to choke and fall off the end of the Earth.

"I think I can manage," I opened the front door,"We're done. Leave or I'll hex you and I promise you that I won't show any mercy."

Luke's face was defeated, vacant, hollow. He looked angry, but he had no right.

He didn't even say anything as he walked out the door, his hands in his pockets and his face dark and brooding.

I slammed the door behind him and turned around, forgetting Charlie was there.

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

He shrugged, leaning on the wall,"I'm not here to judge."

That made me laugh. And I kept laughing. And I kept laughing. And I kept laughing.

And then the tears started falling.

•

An hour later, Sirius Black found me sitting in the room where I met Charlie. My head buried into my hands as I tried not to cry again, the fifth attempt I've had that failed every time as I thought about Luke and I's breakup.

I looked up as the door opened, no doubt looking like a wreck as my eyelashes were soaking and my face was blotchy and swollen. Sirius looked worried,"Bad timing?"

"Bad breakup," my voice was scratchy,"Do you need anything?"

"I was told by Aziz that you wanted an explanation about Aspen," Sirius entered the room, slowly shutting the door behind him,"but I take that you aren't in the mood?"

I didn't even say anything as I rested my chin on the table, staring at the wall as my eyes welled up with tears again,"How's Stella?"

He didn't respond, sitting down in front of me as he stared at me,"How are you?"

It said a lot that the first person to ask me that was a convicted mass murderer that spent a little over a third of his life in Azkaban. But, I didn't care. It made me want to cry.

"I.." I sighed,"I could be better."

He watched me as I sat up, trying to keep my chin up with all the drama that filled today. But I couldn't seem to as he suddenly said,"Follow me."

So, I did. He lead me to a room, posters decorated the walls and a bed was in the corner of the room. I noticed a designated corner of Polaroids and photos that moved, some people I recognized while most of them I didn't pay mind to.

"So," he sat down on the bed, making it very clear this was his bedroom,"Which Sincaid are you related to?"

It was an odd question, but I remember earlier he had mentioned he knew the Sincaids,"My father is Aidoneus, my mother is Kore."

"Oh, you poor thing," he pinched the bridge of his nose,"Aidoneus is not a man I would wish the world on."

"Tell me about it," I noticed a certain photo on the wall and I found myself getting distracted,"He's not really father of the year."

"The Sincaids are not really anybody to be reckoned with. Always temperamental, seeking to wreck havoc on the world even before your father's time. When I heard Kore, a Scamander, had married Aidoneus..I figured he had spelled her somehow," Sirius let out a slight laugh,"It seems neither of them are the best parents."

"I've never heard them say they love me, you know," his eyes seemed to understand that feeling as they softened, I just shrugged,"It's always that they aren't proud of me or they can't be bothered to be there."

"I think, somehow, we could bond over our parental issues," he slightly smiled,"We could both use a new friend."

Friend.

That's why I had noticed the photo on the wall.

I turned back to it to see a group of boys around the ages of thirteen, one looking strikingly similar to Harry Potter, two of them were obviously Remus and Sirius, and the fourth one..he looked just like Nick.

"Did this man have any children?" I pointed to the one and Sirius raised his eyebrows.

Sirius shook his head,"Not that I'm aware. I'm not really on..good terms with Peter Pettigrew."

He didn't say anything else about it as I thought about where I had heard the name before, but he diverted from the conversation as he said,"When was the last time you saw your parents?"

"One time during summer break last year," I let out a breathy laugh,"I was always sent to my aunt and uncle's when I started going to Hogwarts so they wouldn't have to deal with me."

He looked saddened by this. He was about to say something when someone knocked on the door and Laddie slightly opened it.

"What do you want?" I mumbled as Laddie opened the door more.

"I heard about you and Luke."

He didn't have to say anything else, I figured he was going to gloat. Talk about how great his relationship with Alex is.

But then I remembered, Alex and him broke up.

"Do you mind if I steal her, Sirius?"

Sirius shook his head, I wanted to protest but Laddie just smirked to himself and said,"C'mon, I have an excellent idea."