Chapter 09 An end and a beginning 1975
01 July 1975
Rachele had spent the last week Staying in Grimauld place under the strict and not at all well-meaning guidance of Walburga. Her brother had sent her away after the death of their parents, he had not given her a cause nor reason for their death. She seriously considered that it may have been foul play, payback for the latest deaths that the Montagues had dealt out for not paying rent. Not that anyone would tell her anything.
Sirius placed a kiss on her cheek and looked at her with concern "You okay love?" he asked checking her over with a worried look etching into his face.
"I'm-" Rachele started and paused before starting her sentence again. "I will be okay. It's just, this feels like the end of our childhood. I'll come and live with you in Grimauld Place and we'll have to be perfect. No more running around with my cousins, no more freedoms, no more training lessons with Mamma and Papa." She looked up at Sirius, who wiped the tears that were streaming down her face and then pulling her into a big hug.
"We'll get through this, you and me against the world" Sirius whispered into her ear. "Everything will be fine. You'll see"
-/-
The funeral was over. She and Leone had buried their parents and just when she thought her life couldn't get any worse, Leone had given full custody over to Walburga and Orion Black. Rachele didn't mind Orion too much, she really had nothing to do with the man. Walburga however Rachele despised, the hag hurt her Sirius and Reggie.
As they entered the hallway of Grimmauld Sirius took her traveling cloak and handed it over to Kreacher.
"The parlour Rachele" Walburga summoned her as she walked into the room "Sirius take Rachele's trunk up to the guest room"
"Yes Mother" they said together and Rachele shot one last look at Sirius as she followed Walburga into the parlour.
Rachele adjusted her posture and delicately sat on the sofa opposite Walburga to start. When the tea service popped onto the small table in between the two Rachele began to serve Walburga her tea. No milk and two sugars, just the way the older witch liked it.
"While you are in my house you will obey my rules" Walburga began. "You are not to be alone with either of my sons, you must be chaperoned by myself, my husband or Kreacher. You are not to talk unless spoken to. You are not to be seen by guests unless you have my explicit permission. You are not to enter any room other than the kitchen, bathroom or your guest room with out my permission. You will not involve yourself in the punishments of my sons. You will not involve yourself in any business of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Have I made my self clear?"
Rachele's surprise that the older witch knew how to talk and not scream was not outwardly shown on her face, but instead made her falter in her reply "Yes Mother, I will do the house of black proud"
"Good, if I find out you have broken any of these rules, I will hold you under the Cruciatus curse for five minutes" Walburga continued. Rachele had to lock her jaw to stop from replying so she nodded in reply.
"You are dismissed daughter" Rachele stood gracefully again and walked around the table to place a kiss on Walburga's cheek.
"Thank you, mother," she replied to the older witch. It would not do well for Walburga to feel threatened so soon after she moved in. Rachele would have to play the long game or ask a cousin. She was undecided if she wanted the sole pleasure of ending the hag or if she could share such a joyous moment with another.