(A/N: Don't worry, there is REAL plot coming extremely soon..)
Orion could only gaze with confusion as three of the least welcomed people treaded in HIS kitchen, talking to HIS wife.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, eyeing his wife suspiciously. "I thought Narcissa was coming to pay you a visit.."
Vivica lowered her eyes to the floor quickly.
"Well husband, it appeared that Narcissa was unable to attend, so I invited some other, friends," here she hesitated on the last word, "over instead. I'm sorry I surprised you."
Orion's lip curled rather nastily, and he was sure he saw the faintest flickering of a smirk at the corners of Vivica's mouth. Ohh, she was going regret this later..
"You might want to watch it there, Orion, or your face might stay like permanently.."
"Might be a nice change, come to think of it.."
"Good evening, Anne." Orion said curtly, cutting the woman off. "And you, Alphard." Addressing the wizard who had spoken first.
"And, ah. Dumbledore. Always a pleasure.." Orion twisted the words as he spoke, forcing his mouth into a rather unpleasant, forced smile.
He looked around the room, taking in the two wizards sitting down, and Anne standing nearby, young Arthur quietly stationed beside her.
"And this must be young master 'Weasley'." (A/N: Will someone teach me how to do italics????)
"Anne," Vivica started, looking cautiously at her husband. "Why don't you nip in Sirius' room and drop Arthur off? He was taking a nap, but I dare say he'll be pleased to have a playmate."
Orion's eye twitched as Mrs. Weasley disappeared up the stairs, ten-year- old Arthur following lazily behind.
"So, Orion, how's it going?" Alphard inquired, leaning back in his chair and grinning. He glanced at Dumbledore, then looked at the ceiling, feinting indifference. "Heard the ministry's been conducting more raids recently, think somethin's up, they do." He chanced a look at Orion.
"Alphard," Dumbledore muttered warningly.
The wizard paid no heed, instead plastering a stupid grin on his face, as though he had spoken out of innocent curiosity.
"Yes, I am aware of the raids." Orion replied curtly.
"Bet you are.." Alphard muttered.
Dumbledore clapped his hands together brightly and conjured a tray of biscuits and tea out of thin air.
"Well, no sense letting good food go to waste." Alphard said logically.
Orion scowled, and took a biscuit.
*************************
"Good evening Sirius!" Anne exclaimed happily, finding the toddler sitting on his bed. Seeing the child's downcast expression, she frowned.
"Something wrong dear?"
Sirius made as if to open his mouth, but then caught sight of Arthur. His face lit up.
"Hiya!"
"Hi." Arthur replied.
Anne Weasley smiled, satisfied that her work here had been done, and turned to the older boy.
"Now you behave yourselves, mind you watch young Sirius, and darling, DO be nice. I know you're a bit older, but-"
Her words fell on deaf ears, for the two boys were already busy building a castle out of Sirius' 'Bubble Snap' pack, which was the child's version of the popular 'Exploding Snap' game played by older witches and wizards. Rather than exploding at any time, the cards simply turned into luminous bubbles, and then back again at any given point.
"Good castle!" Sirius remarked.
"'S Hogwarts, me mum told about it.." Arthur exclaimed proudly.
Anne shut the door behind them, and walked downstairs.
"Teach Transfiguration, if I'm not mistaken?" Orion inquired, with extremely forced politeness.
"Yes, that's correct." Dumbledore replied lightly.
"Ah now, won't be long afore those two sprouts are running through the corridors.." Alphard sighed, referring to the Black children.
He turned to Anne.
"Arthur's-"
"Next year." she said promptly, beaming at them all.
A debate soon started (courtesy of Alphard) on who were the favorites for this year's world cup, which was being played over in Finland.
"I really think we have a chance this year, it just depends on whether or not Meleov can get his act together.."
Orion gave a slight growl in the pit of his throat, knowing he would have to sit this ordeal through. Ohh Vivica was going to regret this..
Meanwhile, Regulus had stumbled in upon Arthur and Sirius.
"Hello there." Arthur said. "Who're you?"
"That's Regulus," Sirius answered, not looking up from his cards, "my wittle brother."
"Pleased to meet you." Arthur held out his hand to the boy who was considerably younger than he, 4 years at least.
Regulus sniffed.
"Daddy told me 'bout 'choo. Talks 'bouts your mum."
Arthur's grin faltered, and he lowered his hand.
"Don't pay no 'tention ta him, he always mean."
Arthur glanced at Sirius, then turned back to face Regulus.
"You know, I don't think I like you very much."
Regulus scowled.
************************
"Hmm, I wonder what's all the banging upstairs about?" Alphard inquired, gesturing to the ceiling.
Vivica cast a worried glance upwards, making eye contact with Anne.
"I'll go check up on the children."
Anne stood up.
"I think I'll come with you.."
Both were not ready for the scene they encountered.
Sirius was crouched underneath his bed, knees to his chest and hands covering his head. His eyes were clenched shut.
Arthur was down on the floor, pinning a struggling Regulus to the wood. It didn't look anything out of the ordinary, except for the fact that Arthur had tiny tentacles sprouting all over his face..
"Arthur!" Anne exclaimed, running over and brandishing her wand. "You let him up this instant!"
"Sirius? Sirius, you can come out now! Tell me what happened here!"
Upon hearing the voice of two adults, Sirius had crawled out (with much relief) from under the bed. He pointed at Regulus.
"Regulus? Well what did-"
"OW MUM! YOU'RE RIPPING ME EAR OFF YOU ARE!"
Arthur yelled in pain as Anne had him torked by the ear.
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" She roared.
"He HEXED me!" He exclaimed wildly, gesturing at Regulus. "He hexed me, then hit Sirius here with a silencing jinx.."
Vivica turned to her older son, who was nodding his head vigorously.
"Reparo." Vivica muttered.
Sirius gasped, and rubbed his mouth.
"He did mum! Regulus hurt Arthur.."
"But how? He doesn't know any magic yet! And he doesn't even have a wand-"
"Yes he does!" Arthur roared.
"Accio wand!"
A small, thin toy wand flew out of Regulus' pocket, and into Anne's waiting hands.
"What? This thing? 'Tis only a toy wand."
Just then the men can rambling up the stairs.
"What's all the hubbub about?" Alphard asked, panting. "Sounds like ravaging hippogriffs up here!" He glanced a look at Arthur. "Gulpin Gargoyles! What happened to HIM?"
Anne tapped her foot impatiently.
"Arthur and Sirius claim Regulus hexed them with this toy wand.."
She held it out carelessly, and Orion made a snatch for it, but Dumbledore was a little quicker. He held it right in front of long nose, his brow furrowed in thought.
"This toy wand was tampered with.." he said softly. "It seems to now have the magical properties of a real wand."
"But where did get-" Vivica started, but shut her mouth at the fiery look Orion shot her.
"Perhaps certain individuals forget," Anne whispered dangerously, pointedly staring at Orion. "that the Ministry takes accounts of breaking the underage decree very seriously."
No later than she had finished uttering her sentence than a tired looking wizard apparated in front of them. He seemed quite out of breath, and in a great hurry.
"Ok, who did it? Was it you?" He asked crossly, eyeing Arthur.
"It was the youngest." Alphard pointed out.
The wizard shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Yes, like I'm supposed to believe that this little boy, no older than four, hexed this young man here?"
"He used this." Anne handed him the toy wand.
The wizard's eyes widened. "Something's not right here." He turned. "Who owns this house?"
"I do." Orion snarled.
The Ministry official stepped back.
"Ah, well then, you'll have to come with me down to the office, sir, this wand is very suspicious.."
With a last burning glance at Vivica, the pair disapparated.
Vivica sank down to Regulus.
"Has daddy been teaching you magic?"
Regulus nodded proudly.
Vivica looked up to Dumbledore, crestfallen. Alphard bit his lip.
"Perhaps, we should go now..."
Dumbledore gave a slight nod, and two men disapparated, leaving Anne behind with Arthur.
Vivica watched as Regulus ran from the room. Sirius followed, close and on his heels.
"Don't give up," Anne sighed, taking Vivica into her arms. "you still have Sirius, a wonderful boy he'll be, keep him straight. And there's always hope for Regulus, for you can give him something that cruel man who calls himself father will never be able to give."
Vivica wiped her eyes.
"And what's that?"
"Love."
(TBC)
Orion could only gaze with confusion as three of the least welcomed people treaded in HIS kitchen, talking to HIS wife.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, eyeing his wife suspiciously. "I thought Narcissa was coming to pay you a visit.."
Vivica lowered her eyes to the floor quickly.
"Well husband, it appeared that Narcissa was unable to attend, so I invited some other, friends," here she hesitated on the last word, "over instead. I'm sorry I surprised you."
Orion's lip curled rather nastily, and he was sure he saw the faintest flickering of a smirk at the corners of Vivica's mouth. Ohh, she was going regret this later..
"You might want to watch it there, Orion, or your face might stay like permanently.."
"Might be a nice change, come to think of it.."
"Good evening, Anne." Orion said curtly, cutting the woman off. "And you, Alphard." Addressing the wizard who had spoken first.
"And, ah. Dumbledore. Always a pleasure.." Orion twisted the words as he spoke, forcing his mouth into a rather unpleasant, forced smile.
He looked around the room, taking in the two wizards sitting down, and Anne standing nearby, young Arthur quietly stationed beside her.
"And this must be young master 'Weasley'." (A/N: Will someone teach me how to do italics????)
"Anne," Vivica started, looking cautiously at her husband. "Why don't you nip in Sirius' room and drop Arthur off? He was taking a nap, but I dare say he'll be pleased to have a playmate."
Orion's eye twitched as Mrs. Weasley disappeared up the stairs, ten-year- old Arthur following lazily behind.
"So, Orion, how's it going?" Alphard inquired, leaning back in his chair and grinning. He glanced at Dumbledore, then looked at the ceiling, feinting indifference. "Heard the ministry's been conducting more raids recently, think somethin's up, they do." He chanced a look at Orion.
"Alphard," Dumbledore muttered warningly.
The wizard paid no heed, instead plastering a stupid grin on his face, as though he had spoken out of innocent curiosity.
"Yes, I am aware of the raids." Orion replied curtly.
"Bet you are.." Alphard muttered.
Dumbledore clapped his hands together brightly and conjured a tray of biscuits and tea out of thin air.
"Well, no sense letting good food go to waste." Alphard said logically.
Orion scowled, and took a biscuit.
*************************
"Good evening Sirius!" Anne exclaimed happily, finding the toddler sitting on his bed. Seeing the child's downcast expression, she frowned.
"Something wrong dear?"
Sirius made as if to open his mouth, but then caught sight of Arthur. His face lit up.
"Hiya!"
"Hi." Arthur replied.
Anne Weasley smiled, satisfied that her work here had been done, and turned to the older boy.
"Now you behave yourselves, mind you watch young Sirius, and darling, DO be nice. I know you're a bit older, but-"
Her words fell on deaf ears, for the two boys were already busy building a castle out of Sirius' 'Bubble Snap' pack, which was the child's version of the popular 'Exploding Snap' game played by older witches and wizards. Rather than exploding at any time, the cards simply turned into luminous bubbles, and then back again at any given point.
"Good castle!" Sirius remarked.
"'S Hogwarts, me mum told about it.." Arthur exclaimed proudly.
Anne shut the door behind them, and walked downstairs.
"Teach Transfiguration, if I'm not mistaken?" Orion inquired, with extremely forced politeness.
"Yes, that's correct." Dumbledore replied lightly.
"Ah now, won't be long afore those two sprouts are running through the corridors.." Alphard sighed, referring to the Black children.
He turned to Anne.
"Arthur's-"
"Next year." she said promptly, beaming at them all.
A debate soon started (courtesy of Alphard) on who were the favorites for this year's world cup, which was being played over in Finland.
"I really think we have a chance this year, it just depends on whether or not Meleov can get his act together.."
Orion gave a slight growl in the pit of his throat, knowing he would have to sit this ordeal through. Ohh Vivica was going to regret this..
Meanwhile, Regulus had stumbled in upon Arthur and Sirius.
"Hello there." Arthur said. "Who're you?"
"That's Regulus," Sirius answered, not looking up from his cards, "my wittle brother."
"Pleased to meet you." Arthur held out his hand to the boy who was considerably younger than he, 4 years at least.
Regulus sniffed.
"Daddy told me 'bout 'choo. Talks 'bouts your mum."
Arthur's grin faltered, and he lowered his hand.
"Don't pay no 'tention ta him, he always mean."
Arthur glanced at Sirius, then turned back to face Regulus.
"You know, I don't think I like you very much."
Regulus scowled.
************************
"Hmm, I wonder what's all the banging upstairs about?" Alphard inquired, gesturing to the ceiling.
Vivica cast a worried glance upwards, making eye contact with Anne.
"I'll go check up on the children."
Anne stood up.
"I think I'll come with you.."
Both were not ready for the scene they encountered.
Sirius was crouched underneath his bed, knees to his chest and hands covering his head. His eyes were clenched shut.
Arthur was down on the floor, pinning a struggling Regulus to the wood. It didn't look anything out of the ordinary, except for the fact that Arthur had tiny tentacles sprouting all over his face..
"Arthur!" Anne exclaimed, running over and brandishing her wand. "You let him up this instant!"
"Sirius? Sirius, you can come out now! Tell me what happened here!"
Upon hearing the voice of two adults, Sirius had crawled out (with much relief) from under the bed. He pointed at Regulus.
"Regulus? Well what did-"
"OW MUM! YOU'RE RIPPING ME EAR OFF YOU ARE!"
Arthur yelled in pain as Anne had him torked by the ear.
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" She roared.
"He HEXED me!" He exclaimed wildly, gesturing at Regulus. "He hexed me, then hit Sirius here with a silencing jinx.."
Vivica turned to her older son, who was nodding his head vigorously.
"Reparo." Vivica muttered.
Sirius gasped, and rubbed his mouth.
"He did mum! Regulus hurt Arthur.."
"But how? He doesn't know any magic yet! And he doesn't even have a wand-"
"Yes he does!" Arthur roared.
"Accio wand!"
A small, thin toy wand flew out of Regulus' pocket, and into Anne's waiting hands.
"What? This thing? 'Tis only a toy wand."
Just then the men can rambling up the stairs.
"What's all the hubbub about?" Alphard asked, panting. "Sounds like ravaging hippogriffs up here!" He glanced a look at Arthur. "Gulpin Gargoyles! What happened to HIM?"
Anne tapped her foot impatiently.
"Arthur and Sirius claim Regulus hexed them with this toy wand.."
She held it out carelessly, and Orion made a snatch for it, but Dumbledore was a little quicker. He held it right in front of long nose, his brow furrowed in thought.
"This toy wand was tampered with.." he said softly. "It seems to now have the magical properties of a real wand."
"But where did get-" Vivica started, but shut her mouth at the fiery look Orion shot her.
"Perhaps certain individuals forget," Anne whispered dangerously, pointedly staring at Orion. "that the Ministry takes accounts of breaking the underage decree very seriously."
No later than she had finished uttering her sentence than a tired looking wizard apparated in front of them. He seemed quite out of breath, and in a great hurry.
"Ok, who did it? Was it you?" He asked crossly, eyeing Arthur.
"It was the youngest." Alphard pointed out.
The wizard shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Yes, like I'm supposed to believe that this little boy, no older than four, hexed this young man here?"
"He used this." Anne handed him the toy wand.
The wizard's eyes widened. "Something's not right here." He turned. "Who owns this house?"
"I do." Orion snarled.
The Ministry official stepped back.
"Ah, well then, you'll have to come with me down to the office, sir, this wand is very suspicious.."
With a last burning glance at Vivica, the pair disapparated.
Vivica sank down to Regulus.
"Has daddy been teaching you magic?"
Regulus nodded proudly.
Vivica looked up to Dumbledore, crestfallen. Alphard bit his lip.
"Perhaps, we should go now..."
Dumbledore gave a slight nod, and two men disapparated, leaving Anne behind with Arthur.
Vivica watched as Regulus ran from the room. Sirius followed, close and on his heels.
"Don't give up," Anne sighed, taking Vivica into her arms. "you still have Sirius, a wonderful boy he'll be, keep him straight. And there's always hope for Regulus, for you can give him something that cruel man who calls himself father will never be able to give."
Vivica wiped her eyes.
"And what's that?"
"Love."
(TBC)