No one had designated Sirius as historian, but he knew that if the children did not understand what was going on, then they would be more lost and confused. He was about to leave his seat in search of lunch when he spotted a strange child. She was almost like a fairy, so fragile and pale. She couldn't have been more than ten with wispy blonde hair and large blue eyes. The child had been listening to the story, but was playing with a pendent around her neck.
"Did your parents give you that necklace, little one?" Sirius asked gently.
"Oh!" she quickly hid the necklace and turned red with embarrassment. "I liked your story. Can you tell me another?"
"Sure. What is your name?"
"Lila."
"Come with me while I get lunch, Lila, and I will tell you another story." Sirius took her small hand in his callused old one.
They walked through the maze of caves until Sirius found his room. Small, but comfortable would best describe it. He set the child in a chair near a small table while he took out a small lunch of bread, an apple, and cheese. With a knife he cut the apple in two and handed half to the girl.
"Well, Lila, I'll make you a deal. I'll tell you a story, then you tell me about yourself. Ok?"
The girl shifted in her seat for a bit, but finally agreed. Sirius watched the child carefully as he launched into the old Cinderella story. Her expressions from beginning to end were that of rapt interest and unending curiosity. Sirius could glean nothing from her along the lines of understanding or sympathy for the plight of Cinderella, only a desire to hear more. Curious. It's almost like she has never known suffering or toil.
Sirius was rewarded at the end of the tale with a sweet smile from the child. "Ok, a deal is a deal. I told you a story, now you tell me about yourself."
The smile faded into a worried expression, but the Lila was honest and told Sirius what she knew about herself. "My earliest memories were very happy. There was a man and a woman who loved me and hugged me all the time. I think they were my parents. Mummy spoke this language, but Daddy spoke another. I could understand both, but I would mix them when I talked. I don't remember much of the other language now. I haven't used it since they went away. One day, I woke up and I wasn't at home any more. While I was sleeping I think they took me somewhere. I lived with a nice old lady that I called Gran. I don't know if she was my real gran, though. I wasn't allowed to go outside, so Gran taught me to read, write, cook, sew, and anything else I asked. Gran was always nice, but if I watched her when she thought I was in my room, she would be sad and crying. I don't know why. As soon as I would ask, she would smile and talk about something else. One day, Gran sat in my room with me and we packed my clothes and things in a bag. Gran didn't have a bag, just me. After lunch, a strange man came. Gran said that he was going to take me to someplace safe. He seemed nice, but he was a really big guy. The biggest I have ever seen. After I gave Gran a hug and a kiss, he picked me up, and carried me here. I don't even know where we are because I fell asleep. When I woke up, the big man was gone. I think I came here just a few days ago. It's hard to count days when it is always dark. Do you count the days, Grandpa Black?"
"Yes, sweetling. I count the days. Since we can't use our magic, I count the days with a muggle tool called a clock and a calendar. I would teach you how to magically count days, but the bad wizards who are always trying to find us can pick up any spells. So, I will give you some paper, and draw you a calendar. Whenever you wish, you can ask me what day it is. Then, you can put a line through the day when it has passed. Now, after I draw this you need to run along a play so that I can rest. Take care, little Lila."
I'll add more chapters soon! Promise!
