August, 1977
The late-summer air blew past rustling the bright green leaves ans causing green dress to fly upwards. I desprately pushed the skirt of my dress down as I walks down the pathway to my family's mansion. I walked up the marble steps and once I was in inside, I shut the door and ran my hand through my hair, trying to free it from the knots the wind had created.
"I'm home!" I shouted in the silence, giving my purse to a house elf that took it before disappearing.
Adjusting my dress, I walked down the corridor and soon heard voices, some I didn't recognize. Frowning, I entered the living and was surprised to see not just my parents and Ghislaine present. Also in the room seemed to be men beloninging to the Ministry of Magic. I also took note of the two Aurors standing by the fireplace.
The older, wiser looking Auror was the first to notice me and when he did so, he offered me a smile. "Ah! You must be the youngest, Cerisa Kaiser."
Mother and Father looked at me in fear and surprise as I frowned and nodded. "And whom may I be speaking to?"
"I am Auror Castille," he replied. He turned to his associate, whose green eyes burned with determination. "And this is my apprentice, as it were. You can call her Jolloa."
"Pleasure,"I said tersely before crossing my arms. "Might I inquire as to what you're doing in my house?"
"Well since you're here, I might as well question you now," Castille replied. "I was under the impression you were in France, but that is clearly not the case." He cast a suspicious look to my parents and Ghislaine before turning to me again. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
I hesitated, not really comfortable not knowing all the facts, before nodding and beckoning him to follow me. He gave an annoying smile to the rest of my family before following me. When we reached the library, he closed the door and cast a spell so that no one would be able to eavesdrop. Once that was done—I was really, really uncomfortable at this point—he gave me a smile and sat down on one of the armchairs, gesturing for me to do the same.
"Tell me about yourseld, Cerisa," Castille asked, leaning back into the chair and crossing his arms.
I sat down across drom him, keeping a wary eye on him. "What would you like to know?"
"I understand you're still in Hogwarts?"
"Yes. I'll be in my seventh and last year this September," I replied.
"Tell me, when in Hogwarts do your family write to you often?" Castille inquired.
This line of inquiry made me think this had something to do with Jules, so I was going to lie. But then I realize that if it was, they wouldn't send two Aurors and Mother and Father wouldn't have looked so scared. To them, Jules is no longer part of the family.
"My Mother sometime writes," I answered. "But I am more in contact with my brother, Julien."
"Ah yes, the 'blood-traitor'. And what of your other sister? Veronique?"
"In truth, ever since she graduated from Hogwarts, I've rarely seen or spoke with her. And she doesn't care or like me enough to write." I thought it best to be honest, but it made me wonder what this was really about.
"Have you heard of the muggle-born attack just outside of London?" Castille asled.
I nodded. "It was horrible. They say the entire family was driven to insanity by use of the Cruciatus Curse."
"Yes... Horrible indeed. And I am in charge if finding the culprit."
"What does this have to do with my family?" I asked.
Castille didn't beat around the bush. "Veronique Kaiser, your sister, is wanted on suspicious for being a Death Eater and for being the reason for that muggle-born family's fall into insanity."
I felt my blood run cold and I thought my heart would stop. I wasn't able to say anything else after this announcement and soon my interrogation ended. Not soon after that, the Aurors and the Ministry men left, leaving us alone. But I could still barely move as my brain tried to process his words. Once it did, I found myself feeling something my family very frequently causes me to feel: disappointment, but also intense anger.
As the four of us sat around the kitchen island, I clutched my fists in anger and turnes to Mother and Father, who were whispering to each other.
"Did you know?" I asked, failing to keep the anger out of my voice. "Did you suspect Veronique's actions before the Aurors came?"
"Cerisa," Father warned. "Lower your voice."
"No," I half shouted, causing Ghislaine to flinch. "Did you know that Veronique is a Death Eatef?"
"Cerisa!" Mother exclaimed. "How dare you accuse us?! And there is no proof Veronique serves the Dark Lord."
I glared at her, getting to my feet. "Pardon me, but if a Auror tells me she is a Death Eater, you'd better believe I'm going to take their word on it."
And with that I left the kitchen and not soon after that I left the house, not wanting to deal with them, not wanting to deal with the fact that my sister—my sister—was a Death Eater.
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September, 1977
When I got back to school, I could hardly read a newspaper and see the words 'Death Eater' without thinking of Veronique. Ghislaine told me not to jump to conclusions and to give Veronique the benefit of the doubt, but I found it difficult. I wondered if that made me less of the good person I thought I was.
But when I wasn't thinking about the gloomy thought of Veronique/Death Eaters, I was studying for my NEWTs as well as spending time with my friends. I soon learned that over summer Sirius had run away from home and moved in with the Potters. I assumed that it was because of this adjustment that Sirius seemed more distant than usual. I tried to ask to confirm, but I never pushed too far.
When our first week back came go a close, I returned back to the dorms after studying with Remus and Lily. No one else was there except for Marlene, who sat legs crossed on her bed, a book in her hand. Placing my book back on the floor, I sat down beaide her, letting out a deep breath.
Upon doing this, Marlene marked her page, closed her book, placed the book on the pile of books beside her bed and then faced me.
"What's wrong?" Marlene asked.
I bit my lip, wondering if I should tell. As far as I knew, it was not yet made public.
"Cerisa?" Marlene said with worry. "What's going on?"
I sighed, looking down at my hands, vaguely aware I was about to cry. "They're telling me Veronique may be a Death Eater."
I didn't look to see Marlene's reaction. The hug she gave me told me everything. I returned the hug, not wanting to let go and half wondering what I would do without Marlene by my side.
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So this chapter was the start of the descent towards darkness. Never fear, there will be happy moments ahead and I promise you next chapter you'll see Cerisa and Sirius being a couple, doing couply things. ;)
