Chapter 3
The library was the second biggest room in the house after the dining room which was used for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also dinner parties and birthdays. Elladora loved the library however, with its tall stacks and seemingly endless rows, made her feel at home; well more at home than any other room did.
"I's don't thinks we's supposes to be in here" whispered Tula as she carried another stack of books to the table "Mistress said you's wasn't supposes to be reading all these books" she jumped up onto the other chair that rested at the large polished wooden table.
"I'm not allowed to read anything on the two top selves" said Elladora a little sneakily "plus, mum and dad aren't home so what they don't know won't hurt them"
"But Master Sirius and Little Master Regulus are home" said Tula why was she constantly worried "won't they say anything?"
"Nope" said Elladora happily "that's the beauty about my brothers, they get as much enjoyment as possible without mum and dad knowing as I do, so what they do I don't snitch about and what I do they don't snitch about. For example last week when that vase smashed and we all got a beating none of us owned up to who it was, we're good like that together"
"Yes we're brilliant" said Sirius coming from the double doors of the library "what are you reading?"
Elladora shut the book "I was reading Plato's analogy of the cave"
"Oh he's the guy that talked about the realm of the forms, right and that the world we live in is a false reality, correct?" asked Sirius he propped his broom up against the table
Elladora nodded collecting a handful of books together she moved over to one of the shelves and stood on the rug "up" she said and the rug rose two feet as she slotted a book into the shelf, she carried on doing so until she came to the third shelf from the top and looked up at the many dark and dangerous books on the top two shelves "Regulus is still playing Quidditch Tula, so will you tell Kreacher to have lunch ready for half twelve"
Tula squeezed her eyes shut and banged her head off the table a few times, in between she spoke "mistress-" bang "said" bang "to" bang "make" bang "lunch" bang "for twelve" when she stopped her eyes were crossed and there was a bump on her head
"Oh right" said Sirius annoyed "well ok, you better tell Regulus to come inside then"
Tula bowed "yes sir" she said and hurried out
"Come on Elladora, you can't read every book in the library today" Sirius grinned looking up at his sister who was on the flying rug "Elladora?" she was staring upwards
"There's a book here" she pointed at a green leather book on the top shelf "it's called 'House Elves and The Laws that Govern Them" Elladora reached her hand forward guardedly.
"Elladora" said Sirius sharply "just leave it, you know you shouldn't-" but she wasn't listening as she took the book from the bookcase and floated back down on the rug.
Elladora ran to the table and opened it to the first page, scanning the index "there, look" she pointed to a line in the book "house-elves and their orders" she flipped to half way in the book "a house-elf must obey every order their master or masters give them, they are bound to one family and one family only and can refuse orders to anyone outside of the family or anyone no longer a member. A house-elf is bound by law to serve their master until death, or unless the house-elf dies in service. When the last remaining master dies in a family the loyalties of the house-elf are bound by law to move to the person or persons who have left the family estate or have inherited the largest amount of fortune" Elladora was curious even more as she read on "chapter nine. Any member of the family which a house-elf is bound has full right to command and punish a house-elf, there is no high orders from anyone" Elladora looked up at Sirius who had been stood listening "that means we have the same power over Tula, Blitz and Kreacher that mum and dad have" she grinned happily "this will be great, I can tell Tula what I want her to do, not what mum wants her to do-"
"No Ella!" said Sirius he took the book from her "if mum finds out that you read this book then she'll murder you"
Elladora pouted, that wasn't fair "but-"
"No buts" said Sirius, he looked like dad when he said that but he had a softer voice and friendly eyes "Blitz!" there was a crack and the male house-elf appeared in his toga style tea towel "put this back where it belongs and don't ever mention that we had it" Blitz took the book carefully and headed for the rug.
Sirius took Elladora's shoulder "let's not mention this again" they headed down to lunch where Regulus was waiting in his usual seat right in the middle of the table "about time" he moaned "I'm starving"
"That's what you get for playing Quidditch all morning" said Elladora; she clambered onto her chair just as Tula came in carrying a tray of fresh sandwiches floating behind was a bowl of salad, a flagon of pumpkin juice and a chocolate frog each for afters.
"Food" cheered Regulus as Tula set the plates down on the table "Thanks Tula"
Tula smiled happily at them all "will that be all mistress and masters?"
"Yes thank you" said Sirius they all took a handful of sandwiches each the boys skipping the salad, which Elladora didn't mind because that meant there was more cucumber for her.
Tula went out the door just as Kreacher came in carrying a silver tray with the post on, he came right up to the table "a letter for you Mistress and Master" Elladora took the letter that was written in pretty straight blue writing "it's from Andromeda" she ripped the letter open "she says- Sirius what's wrong?" for Sirius had taken his letter with shaken hands, his face was white.
"What's the matter?" asked Regulus wiping his mouth
"It's here" Sirius whispered "look" he trust the letter forward and Elladora got a glimpse of the address.
Sirius Orion Black
12 Grimmauld Place
Dining Room
London
Elladora looked round, how did they know they were in the dining room? Sirius however didn't seem bothered as he tore open the letter and read it aloud for all of them to hear.
"Dear Mr Black, we are pleased to inform you that you have received a place at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry..." Sirius's eyes were shining with joy "wait until they find out, they'll all be so jealous that I've made it to Hogwarts!" he cheered jumping up and down on his chair.
There was a distant thud and they heard voices "mum and dad" said Regulus he quickly snatched the chocolate frogs off the table along with the salad "bin the salad and hide the frogs in my closet" he told Kreacher.
Just as Kreacher vanished the dining room door opened "here they are eating lunch dear" their mother removed her fox fur scarf and matching hat giving them to Tula "take those upstairs and put them away neatly" she added forcefully "so my little ones did you have a good day?"
"Yes mama" said Elladora getting up. Regulus and Sirius stood up as she did. "I watched Sirius and Regulus play Quidditch in the garden"
"Very good" said Walburga she sat down, and put her arm around Elladora's waste. Orion entered the room "Kreacher said there was post"
Sirius inflated his chest and walked forward handing the letter to their father "what's this?" asked Walburga she turned her head to Elladora who just smiled politely.
Orion read the letter and held out his hand for his son "well done my boy" he said proudly for one of the first times ever "I knew this day would come"
"What day?" asked Walburga she didn't like been left out of the loop
"The day that our son, my heir, goes to Hogwarts" he handed her the letter and Walburga beamed showing her beautiful smile that she gave her daughter (one good thing) "then we have two things to celebrate on Friday"
"What's happening Friday?" asked Regulus curiously
"Bellatrix is announcing her engagement" Sirius and Regulus rolled their eyes, Bellatrix had been engaged for the past three weeks, and now she chooses to anncounce it, like they didn't already know "now we can announce that our son, will be starting Hogwarts in less than six weeks time"
The dining room was filled with golden decorations; a huge white banner read 'Congratulations Bellatrix and Rodolphus' Elladora stood at her mother's side as Uncle Cygnus made a speech "it was a proud day when my daughter brought home Rodolphus, I knew he was a gentlemen at first site. Later when he asked for my daughter's hand in marriage I could not say no" he smiled happily at Bellatrix who had her arm laced with Rodolphus. Rodolphus was a slight man like Uncle Cygnus; he was the same age as Bellatrix, and only four inches taller than her. His hair was a dark brown that had red tints in the candle light; his eyes however were dark and had a menacing look about them. "I thank my wife, for my three beautiful daughters" there was a slight sour look on Uncle Cygnus's face but he smiled and shook it off "my sister and her husband for letting me use their wonderful home and to Sebastian Lestrange for welcoming my daughter into his family as I welcome him and his two sons into mine" Uncle Cygnus raised his glass, and the rest of the room followed "To my darling Bella and Rodolphus!"
"Bellatrix and Rodolphus!" chanted the many people in the room there was the tinkle of Champaign glasses.
"My brother in law has another announcement to make" Uncle Cygnus moved to his wife's side while Orion got up out of his chair and stood in front of Bellatrix and Rodolphus.
"My wife and I have received very exciting news-our son" Orion held out his hand and Sirius walked to his side gingerly, in his red robes and frills "our son, has received his Hogwarts letter, he is on his way to been a powerful, successful wizard"
Elladora clapped as everyone else did, she saw however the look of hate on Bellatrix's face, Rudolphus leaned down and whispered something in her ear and her face went from pouting to smiling and looking if possible for her gooey.
"That's sick" said Regulus as Bellatrix kissed her fiancé.
Elladora giggled "it's sweet" she said "plus she'll be living in her new house away from here"
Regulus grinned at that as Sirius walked back over "have you seen how happy they are?" they all looked round at their parents who were both smiling together for what seemed like had been years.
Music began to play from the ghost band and everyone partnered up for a group dance "Regulus with your sister" Regulus looked positively sulky as he took Elladora's hands. Sirius was forced towards Narcissa, while Andromeda had to dance with Rabastan Lestrange.
Once the dancing was done, and the most of the food and wine had been drunk, Elladora was almost dead on her feet. She plonked down into one of the velvet green chairs her eyelids felt heavy "come on bed" Sirius walked over followed by Regulus who was dragging his feet "too tired" moaned Elladora to Sirius.
Sirius smirked and bent down lifting her onto his back "come on, we'll get wolfy from the living room and then go to bed" Elladora rested her chin on her brothers shoulder as they left the dining room together.
Regulus opened the large living room door but as it swung open they all froze. Bellatrix was lying on the sofa her robes were hitched up round the top of her thighs, Rodolphus was on top of her his trousers undone and his hair a mess. Sirius, Regulus and Elladora were all wide eyed and standing in fear. Elladora didn't know what to do as she bit her lip, Bellatrix moaned as she kissed her fiancé.
Sirius stepped back and the floor board creaked.
Bellatrix moved her head and Rodolphus kissed her neck, totally not paying attention.
Bellatrix smirked evilly at them then groaned, and waved her hand the door began to swing shut in their faces.
Sirius stepped back and pulled Regulus out the way as the door closed with a snap, they heard the door lock click.
They didn't say a word as they went up the stairs, Elladora was confused and yet fascinated at the same time, she didn't understand what had been going on but she did know that Sirius knew and she did know how to find out.
Sirius put her down gently on the floor "go get changed Regulus" he ordered Regulus who walked from the room with a dazed look on his face, he hadn't stopping thinking either.
Sirius began to unbutton the back of her dress, and then went to her chestier-draws taking out her night gown. Elladora slipped her dress off and began to unlace the small little corset she wore that gave her dress shape. Sirius helped her undress and then pulled her night gown over her head, they were use to this schedule when the house-elves were busy then they helped each other to get ready for bed "Sirius" asked Elladora as her head pulled through her night dress "what was Bella doing?"
"Nothing" said Sirius she saw his cheeks were red; he'd never blushed like that before
"It can't have been nothing?" persisted Elladora stubbornly "was she doing something wrong?"
"No-yes- I don't know it's none of our business, you'll understand when you're older" he said ending the subject for good. But Elladora didn't care about that, she was curious and the books in the library would help settle that curiosity.
Regulus came in his pyjama top open and carrying the Tales of Beedle the Bard "we're up to the Deathly Hallows story now" he grinned placing the book on Elladora's large white four post of bed with light blue canopy
Sirius smiled "I'll be back in a minute then" and he wondered off down the hallway to his room
Elladora walked over to Regulus and began to do up his pyjama top, the green and blue stripes now matched his bottoms as they both climbed onto the bed and got under the blankets.
Sirius came back into the room wearing a t-shirt and a normal pair of pyjama bottoms "come on Sirius" called Elladora from the bed.
"Attack!" Sirius ran forward and jumped onto the bed laughing with his brother and sister who were giggling and pushing Sirius off them "ok, ok" Sirius took the book and got under the duvet the other side of Elladora putting an arm around her and opening the book, which magically came to life in front of their eyes, the book showed three brothers heading for a fast flowing river.
"Once upon a time..." began Sirius softly.