...Evania...
April 14th, 1964
I wake in an unfamiliar room. Groaning I sit up and look around dazedly. I hear voices and scurry backwards falling off the bed I was on. The voices outside go silent. "Evania must be awake." a gruff voice comes from the other side of the door. The door opens and I wince as a harsh bright light fills the small room, I'm in. "Ah, there she is. Must've had another nightmare." a man with reddish eyes strides into the room. It takes me a moment but I recognize the man and launch myself into his arms. He sits on my bed and pats my back.
"Did my sweet daughter have another nightmare?" he asks in a hiss. "The strange man was watching me. He was really weird and he acted like he knew something. Daddy I'm scared!" I reply. "Is it really your wish that we take her into our home my lord?" a woman asks. "Why of course! I can't watch her and she'll have to be hidden. I'd hate it if Dumbledore found my children and used them against me." dad sneers. "What about her mother?" the man from earlier wonders. "Died in childbirth. She was attacked by a drunken idiot and went into labor early." dad strokes my hair as he speaks.
He doesn't talk about mother often but when he does, he gets all sad. "The others may stop by to visit her at any time but just raise her as if she's your own daughter. I'll make sure the living expenses end up in your accounts before the first of every month and I'll send word before I ever come by to visit her." dad looks around my room. I turn and eye that man and woman who followed dad in. "That's Walburga and Orion Black. They're going to take care of you in my stead. Say hello Nia." dad smiles. "Hello." I whisper and turn back around hiding in dad's shirt. "Don't worry. We'll take excellent care of her my lord." Orion nods.
They continue talking. I slowly relax, the fear I felt from my nightmare ebbing away. "Nia, from now on you'll be known as Evania Airini Prewett-Black instead of Evania Airini Riddle-Prewett. Do you understand?" dad asks sitting me up and looking into my eyes. I nod my understanding. "When are you leaving?" dad asks Orion. "In a few days." he replies. "Good. Good. I'll bring Nia in a month. That gives you more than enough time prepare everything and I can get the proper documents in order. I also will tell my other wives how to compose themselves when they come to visit." dad sighs as he begins stroking my hair.
May 22nd, 1964
I take one last look around my small room. I didn't have much but it was enough. I clutch my small doll in my arms as I close the door. I hop down the stairs and make my way to the kitchen where I find dad and mother number 1 talking. She smiles when she sees me and waves. "Morning." I nod politely. "Where'd you find her?" mother number 1 asks. "In an alley in Italy. I had Fenrir find her for me. Nothing but skin and bones poor thing. I told Astraea not to go but she went anyways." dad frowns. He picks me up and sits me on the counter.
"Did you get everything?" he asks. I nod and look out the window. He ruffles my hair and turns back to mother number 1 who's cooking breakfast. "Have you made the school arrangements for everyone Fay?" he asks pouring a cup of watermelon and strawberry juice for me. "Yes, the arrangements have been made. I even made the arrangements for that one event." she shoots him a meaningful look. He nods lost in thought but that fades when we hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Two boys run in and freeze when they see me. I look down and play with doll.
According to the orphanage my mother had made this for me before she passed. "Boys, come here and say hello to your little sister." Fay orders. The two boys round the room and nod politely as they say hello. "Evania, these are your brothers, Alon and Dylan." dad introduces them. They stare at me curiously. "Hello." I whisper shyly. "She's adorable." Dylan whispers to Alon as if the rest of us aren't in the room. Dad bends down and starts talking to them and telling them they have to be good brothers to me.
Dad scoops them up and seats them on the counter opposite of me. Fay hands me a slice of spinach and bacon quiche. I take a small bite and tilt my head. It's sweet and savory. I take another bite and then another. I leave not a crumb on my plate and down the rest of my juice. Feeling rather full and satisfied I set my glass down. I swing my feet back and forth and hum delightedly to myself. "So cute!" Fay exclaims as she brushes my hair back into a ponytail.
We leave an hour later, the boys walking with Fay and me clutching my doll and holding dad's hand. We get to a cliff and dad scoops me up. "I'll see you in a few days" he kisses Fay's cheek. My brothers and Fay disappear with a quiet pop. "Ready? I know you don't like it, but we're going to Apparate because it's the safest way to get where we're going, ok Nia?" dad frowns when he sees my worried expression. I nod reluctantly and tighten my hold on him. I squeeze my eyes shut as we Apparate. I hate it. It feels like I'm being shoved through a needle thin tube.
"We're here." dad whispers stroking my hair. I smell flowers and open my eyes. We're somewhere in the countryside and very near a garden. Walburga and Orion come out of the house, well mansion, smiling and waving. Dad sets me on my feet. Dad talks to Orion about something I'm not allowed to hear so Walburga shows me around the first level of the garden which is home to basic level care fruits, vegetables, herbs, and magical plants. "There are 20 levels of the garden and as you get older and smarter, I'll introduce you to a new level." she promises as I eye the herb patch in the garden.
We go inside and find dad and Orion in the sitting room having a midday drink. "The boys will be down in a minute. Kreacher is about to bring lunch in." Orion smiles taking another sip of amber liquid. I walk around the room looking around curiously while the adults talk. I'm looking at the detailing on an antique clock when suddenly it blinks? A pair of gray eyes are now watching me and I stumble back in shock. They grey eyes in the clock are crying. "What's wrong Nia?" dad wonders. I point at the clock and Walburga jumps up in shock.
She hurries over and unlocks the base of the clock pulling out a boy a year younger then me. "Regulus! How'd you end up on there?!" she cries in shock. "The young ones were playing. I thought they'd gotten too quiet. The other one is hiding on the other side of the wall." a voice croaks. I turn and jump. "Kreacher, how long have you been there?" Orion wonders. "Just a minute. I was just going to let you know that lunch was done master." the voice bows. "This is Kreacher, Evania. Kreacher this is Evania the young girl we told you would be staying with us." Orion frowns as he searches the wall. He gives a portrait a slight tap and wiggles like Jell-O and disappears revealing another boy, this one a year older. "And this brat, is Sirius. He's a mischievous one." Orion thumps the tops of the boy's head.
I nod shyly and hurry over to dad. He chuckles as I sit at his feet and hide in his cloak. Walburga begins scolding Sirius for locking Regulus in the clock. Both boys are pouting when we sit down to eat lunch. I stare in amazement at the spread on the table as Walburga introduces each dish. Tuna tartare on avocado, cilantro jicama slaw, garlic and herb grilled tuna steak, asparagus with roasted tomatoes and onions, and mango salsa. My mouth waters and I stare wide eyed at the dishes. Dad scoops a healthy portion of each dish onto my plate and I eat with the table manners I was taught by Fay.
I set my knife and fork down when I'm done and sip my lemon water. Dad pats my hair and smiles. "You can go play if you're done." he whispers. "Thank you for the meal." I murmur as I get up and go back to the sitting room. I continue walking around until I find a grand piano. I gasp and clap my hands. It takes me a minute to crawl onto the seat doll in hand but I manage. I open the piano as gently as I can but it's quite obvious it hasn't been used in a few months. As if the piano is alive and knows it's time to play it dusts itself off, tunes itself, and readjusts for my height and hand.
With a small giggle I begin to play Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29. My fingers float effortlessly into the next song and the next. It takes me a full minute to realize I'm being watched. I turn and find everyone watching me. "Oh, don't mind us. Play another song." Walburga insists sitting down on the sofa. I turn back and play Gaspard de la Nuit by Ravel. I play a few more songs before dad has to leave. "I'm sorry to leave so soon but I have to check on Sarah and the newborn." he confesses. Sarah, dad's seventh wife, gave birth about two weeks after Fenrir found me in Italy.
I wave from the doorway until dad Apparates away. Orion closes the door and goes to his study with Sirius. "Well then, how about a tour of the house?" she asks. I nod and feel Regulus tug on my skirt. I turn and find him sitting next to me smiling. Walburga scoops him up and we begin our tour. We end at my room. I gasp as we walk inside. There's a giant four poster queen size bed, a tall wardrobe, a walk-in closet, a desk, a bookshelf, a dressing table, a rocking chair, and a full-length mirror. "In a few days I'll take you clothes shopping and we'll get you some books to fill that shelf, ok?" she smiles setting Regulus down.
"Is this really all mine?" I turn and ask. She nods. I set my doll on my new bed and run over and hug her. I spend the remainder of the day getting used to my new room. Regulus plays on the floor and Walburga walks me through some simpler things I'm not used to, like the fact that I now have my own bathroom. After a luxurious dinner of roast potatoes and carrots with filet mignon, I brush my teeth and Orion tucks me and my doll into bed.
June 12th, 1964
I wake early to Walburga stroking my hair. "Time to get up Nia." she whispers getting off my bed and striding over to open the curtains. My room looks out onto the expansive gardens and ponds. I sit up sleepily and rub my eyes. "We're going shopping today!" she announces with a smile. Our trip had been pushed back a day or two due to sudden storms. It looked like it was going to be a lovely day today. "If you don't mind, we'll be having guests join us today." she hums as she looks through the few clothes that I do have for something half decent.
I slide out of bed with the help of my steps. I'm still too small to get into bed by myself or reach a lot of things in my room so Kreacher made me steps that help me. She leads me to my bathroom and I use my steps to reach the sink so I can wash my face. I stand as still as I can as Walburga brushes out my hair and plaits it. She ties it off with a small white bow. "There you go. We'll have you wear this dress today." she sighs pulling out a small old frost white sundress with short sleeves. I slip off my nightdress and step into the dress. It's the tiniest bit snug but that's because Kreacher's cooking is divine and Walburga's is nothing to scoff at either.
I brush my teeth and turn so she can assess me. "Absolutely adorable!" she squeals kissing my cheeks. She has me wear a pair of flats she got for me and we head down to the dining room for breakfast. Our plates float in from the kitchen when Kreacher is done and I'm glad to see glazed pork chops, sunny side up eggs, and home fries or today's menu as I pour myself a glass of lemon and ginger tea.
I let out a small contented sigh as I finish eating and look up. I'm the only one done so I pour a small cup of milk and take tiny sips. When everyone is finally done eating, I hop up and help Walburga clear the dishes away. "Regulus' and Sirius' cousins will be joining us on our little shopping trip today." she informs me as she sets the dishes to wash. "How are we getting there?" I ask slightly wary. "Don't worry. We're travelling through the Floo network. It's a tad bit better than Apparating and leaps and bounds better than getting a ride from the Knight Bus." she pulls a funny face that makes me laugh.
I slip into a light jacket as we prepare to leave. Orion leaves first with Sirius. Then I step into the grate with Walburga and Regulus, each of us holding her hands. She tosses the powder down at our feet and we're off in a whirl of green flames. We emerge in a bar and she dusts us off. Orion and Sirius are talking to who I'm guessing are their cousins. Walburga leads me over and gently nudges me forward. "Nia, this is Cygnus and Druella Black. Over there are their daughters Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Andromeda. And this lovely little girl is our newest addition, Evania." Walburga introduces us. I nod politely.
I don't quite care for the way Bellatrix is staring at me. It irks me. I opt for playing with Regulus instead. The adults talk for a while and I can feel Bellatrix watching me. "So, you're his daughter. The one that they brought back from Italy." Bellatrix giggles in a delighted tone that makes my skin crawl. I keep playing with Regulus who's now eyeing his cousin with a pout on his face. She starts poking my cheek and I turn and frown at her. "Bella! Stop that right now!" her mother snaps. Bellatrix turns to her mother ready to defend her actions but thinks better of it when she sees the disapproval on her face.
I turn back and continue playing with Regulus. After ten minutes we begin shopping. Cygnus, Orion, Regulus, and Sirius go to the bank. I follow Walburga down the streets as she and Druella talk about Bellatrix's upcoming fourth year at Hogwarts. I stare in mute fascination at the odd shops that we pass. Narcissa ends up taking my hand and leading me through the more crowded streets. We stop when we come to a clothing shop on a less crowded street. Walburga waves us inside and I'm greeted by the smell of fresh lemon.
A bubbly little witch comes bustling in from the back and claps with glee when she sees our little party. "Walburga! Druella! How wonderful to see you!" she titters. "It's been far too long!" Druella smiles pulling Bellatrix over to her. For the past minute she'd been inching closer and closer to me. I move in between Andromeda and Narcissa for safety. "We need to get Bella's robes cleaned and altered." Druella frowns and produces several black school robes from her bag. I stare open mouthed in shock until Narcissa nudges me.
"Why, yes, of course. She has grown quite a bit." the shopkeeper frowns at the material on her counter. "We also need altered robes for Andromeda." Druella continues pulling out more robes. "Ah, you just started school. I can tell by the dirt stains from the greenhouses." the shopkeeper tuts. When the robes are counted and tagged the shopkeeper looks up. "And we need to get them all new clothes." Walburga steps forward. The shopkeeper taps several rolling closets. "Which one first?" she asks in all seriousness. "Bella and Narcissa should go first since they've grown the most. Then Andromeda and Evania." Walburga says after thinking it over.
The shopkeeper who was sizing them up does a double take when she sees me. "I didn't see you there. Why she's positively adorable! She reminds me of Narcissa when she was younger!" she squeals delightedly. Narcissa frowns and squints at me. "No, she's cuter." Narcissa says after some deliberation. I blush and look at the floor. When we're all sized up the shopkeeper begins flitting about tapping random shelves of clothing. The clothes zoom overhead and onto the rolling closets. Walburga leads me over to the shoes while we wait. "When did she arrive?" Druella wonders looking through jackets.
"About a week ago. I just got a letter from Fay saying she'll be by for a visit next month to see how Evania has adjusted and to discuss what lessons she should take." Walburga smiles as she goes through the shoe collection. "She's rather quiet.", Druella comments, "How about signing her up for an etiquette or dance class?" Walburga pauses in thought then turns to me. I hum softly as I try on shoes. "I think that'd be best. You know I think she may have a natural knack for music Druella. You should've seen her on the day she arrived. I've never heard such a young child play such complex music!" Walburga boasts.
"She played? What?" Druella gasps fully ready to listen to the tales of my life at Walburga's home. Walburga begins listing the songs and even the shopkeeper stares at me in shock. "Did you learn in Italy?" Andromeda asks going through the jewelry. I shake my head "No, I just played what I heard passing by the music school every day." It's true. Every day I passed by a music school on my way to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that the orphanage didn't already have growing. I begin humming again as I continue trying on the shoes Walburga picked out for me.
Our next stop is a bookstore. I look around and see nothing but books. It's a place that one can get easily lost in if they're willing. It takes a bit of nudging from Walburga to get me to begin picking out books but once she notices a common theme in the books I pick out she's able to find more for me. The books join the clothes in Walburga's bag. I stare in awe as stack after stare goes in but the bag never changes. We reunite with the boys in an ice cream shop. I work on my salted caramel toffee waffle cone bowl with butterbeer sauce. It's nice and cold for how warm it is outside but the butterbeer sauce prevents me from feeling too cold.
We go to a stationary shop so Bellatrix and Andromeda can complete their homework, an apothecary, a sweets shop, and then visit random pop-up shops on the street. When we return home the smell of dinner cooking greets us. Walburga unloads my things and with a wave of her wand they fly to their respective places. We have a seafood feast for dinner and then trudge up to bed and sleep peacefully.
