"What should I get first my wand or school books?" asked Sirius as he looked down at his Hogwarts list

"Wand!" exclaimed Elladora and Regulus together. They walked together through the crowded leaky cauldron dodging the many people who were all clearly here for school shopping because all the people were families.

Blitz and Tula shuffled nervously around them watching the children the entire time and the other wizards who didn't even acknowledge them.

Sirius, Regulus and Elladora stepped out in to Diagon Alley. Elladora had been here before but every time it still amazed her, but never before had she been school shopping. She buzzed with excitement as they entered Ollivander's.

They entered the shop and were wowed by the stacks upon stacks of wand boxes, some even reaching to the ceiling and others so far to the floor that they were dusty.

Sirius went up to the counter and tapped the little golden bell once. It rang through the shop chiming pleasantly.

"Ah" a head appeared from over the desk. The man had white blonde fluffy hair "a customer" he approached Sirius with pale blue eyes that looked scary "twelve and a half inches"

Sirius looked down at his right arm stretching it out like he was trying to measure too "aha!" proclaimed Mr Ollivander "I have just the wand!" he danced away and went to a shelf "Runespoor fang" he held open the box for Sirius who reached into the wand

"NO!" Mr Ollivander shut the box as the glass in the windows quivered "no...No too dark...far too dark..." he looked at Regulus and Elladora before dashing away again

He returned carrying a red velvet box "now this I am sure" he whispered opening the box

Sirius reached forward quicker this time, he took the wand and waved it gently. A long red ribbon traced out the end spelling his name

"Perfect" said Mr Ollivander "a Demiguise Hair as the core, the wood is Ash it requires strength and focus, but good at healing and absorbing sickness"

Sirius was in such awe that he just stood there "Bro you need to pay" said Regulus coming up next to Sirius, the red ribbon faded into dust

Sirius handed over twelve galleons and they left the shop together, heading back up the high street "so where to next?" asked Elladora almost skipping along "the bookstore? Madame Malkins? The potion shop?"

"I think we should head to the bookstore then-" a hammering noise attracted the sibling's attentions they walked passed a group of people who were all crowded round a brick wall, looking anxious.

Elladora stepped forward and moved through the crowd followed by Sirius and Regulus "master, mistress!" Tula squeaked her and Blitz were pushed back by the crowd.

Elladora looked up to see a cream coloured notice with the Ministry of Magic symbol printed in the top right hand corner.

Elladora began to read

Curfew

Due to numerous disappearances and attacks by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Ministry of Magic is invoking a curfew on the residence and shop owners of Diagon Alley. This applies to both customers and residents alike. Curfew is between 5pm and 6am. Anyone found wondering the streets will be arrested on site and questioned; they will face a heavy fine for breaking the curfew or will be sentenced to Azkaban.

"Signed the Minister of Magic" spoke Elladora "its getting serious isn't it?"

Regulus looked up "must be look" he stepped forward now that the crowd was departing "buddy systems, curfews, warning spells and alarms...this guy must be something huge to have this big of effect"

"Yeah well" said Sirius defensively "he can't be that great, from what I've read in the Daily Prophet he's scared of Albus Dumbledore"

"That's because Albus Dumbledore is the greatest wizard ever" declared Elladora

"That's not what dad says" said Sirius he took Elladora's hand and they began to head towards the bookstore

"Yeah well what does dad say?" Regulus sounded almost angry; Elladora knew it was because Sirius got all the attention now that he was going to Hogwarts.

"He just says that Dumbledore gives advice to the ministry of magic, who are following his orders and are hardly focusing on any other issues apart from this Lord what's his face" the bell chimed as they entered the shop, it was small and crowded.

"Yeah well let's not talk about it" whispered Elladora, glancing round at the thousand of shelves. Maybe if she was nice Sirius would buy her a book.

When they returned home they found their Aunt and Mother in the living room as soon as they walked through the door their mother spoke "Tula!" she snapped "fetch the tea from the kitchen" Tula looked exhausted as she wondered off.

"How did it go today then?" asked their mother inspecting them "did you get your wand?"

Sirius beamed as he took his wand from the pile of packages he handed it to his mother who opened it "twelve and a half inches, a single Demiguise hair at the core, ash wood"

Their mother picked up the wand and took her own "same wood to mine" she looked almost hopeful "but Demiguise hair, only one member of the family has a similar core"

"Who might that be?" asked Sirius accepting his wand back

"Your Uncle Alphard" said Walburga her nostrils flared "you will be visiting him this weekend" the sibling's swapped excited smiles

Tula entered the room carrying the heavy silver tray and tea set.

Elladora sat down gently on the sofa and her mother automatically handed her, her embroidering to keep herself busy.

Regulus played absentmindedly with his toy Aurors on the floor marching them up and down.

Druella reached for one of the tea cups just as Tula caught her foot on the rug falling forward and spilling all of the tea over Walburga and Druella.

Walburga let out a violent scream and Druella kicked Tula away with the tray as she tried to dry off her dress with her wand "stupid clumsy house-elf!" she snarled

"That is it!" Walburga grabbed Tula by the neck "once a house-elf cannot carry a tea tray they are no longer useful!"

Elladora knew that family tradition very well it was her name sake who had invented it; she leaped forward pricking her finger on the sawing needle. "Mother no!" she cried grabbing Walburga's sleeve "Tula this is a direct order from a member of the house of Black I order you to magic yourself out of here!"

Walburga spun round quickly knocking Elladora over "you do not give orders to the house-elves!" but her eyes betrayed her "Tula I order you as a high archery member of this family to not obey any orders given to you by my daughter"

Tula looked confused as her big brown eyes looked between Elladora and Walburga "there isn't a higher person in this family when it comes to house-elves!" shouted Elladora, tears flowing down her cheeks "Tula run!"

But Walburga's grip was too tight "what is going on down here?" Orion came down the stairs followed by Blitz and Kreacher

"Tula has reached her prime" said Walburga her hair had fallen out, she looked wild and untamed "and our daughter has seen fit to read forbidden books in the library"

Orion didn't look angry "take her out to the kitchen" he said "Elladora go back into the living room and I will deal with you later"

"No I will not!" she'd crossed the line as her father's wand appeared, he waved it and she was flung backwards into the living room with Sirius, Regulus and Aunt Druella.

"I will assist" Druella stood back up and headed out after Walburga.

"Blitz!" cried Tula as she tried to struggle free

"Tula!" Blitz ran past their father, and tried to reach for Tula

"Enough!" yelled Orion "Blitz stop!"

Blitz seemed to struggle against the order like he was been held back by strings "house-elves are easy to replace" declared Orion "and some are more loyal than others" Elladora saw Kreacher smirking stupid ugly git "take him as well"

"NO!" screamed Elladora she tried to run, but Orion caught her shoulder and dragged her back.

Her backside hurt along with arms and legs, she'd never been beaten this badly before. She walked very carefully down the stairs tears flowing down her cheeks; she looked up and saw the two new house elf heads on the wall. They still had blood at their necks.

"Do not enter the library again" her father walked pass her on the stairs patting her head in an almost affectionate manner.

When her father entered his study, she sat down on the top step and promised herself that she would never ever have a house-elf when she was older, because it would always, always end up beheaded.

They ran up the stairs happily "Uncle Alphard!" Elladora leapt into her uncle's arms, and he twirled her round like a princess and kissed her cheek.

"Ah my little princess" he always called her that, he loved her way more than her cousins "and my little princes!" Regulus and Sirius barrelled into them almost knocking Alphard over

Walburga came up the stair case wearing her black outfit and hat "I shall pick them up in the morning, be ready, they can't miss their tutoring classes" her dislike was clear, she didn't love her brother like Elladora loved Regulus and Sirius. Actually as she thought about it, even though their mother was the second child had a younger and older brother, she like Elladora had two brothers but unlike she hated them.

"Yes sister" said Alphard "I know, it's the same every time, the same as it was for us"

"Yes" Walburga dropped the black trunk on the door step "but unlike us my children work hard in their studies and will avoid certain forbidden acts" her lips twisted into a sick smile

Elladora looked at her Uncle whose face was calm and collected but there was something in his eyes that seemed like hurt.

"You were never good at accepting things outside of what you knew" said Alphard in a straight normal tone "but now let's go inside children dinner is waiting"

Walburga closed the door behind her without even saying goodbye

Alphard's house wasn't as big as theirs but it was spacious and more outside of London. Alphard set Elladora down and helped her out of her coat just as his house-elf- it brought a pang to Elladora's heart- walked forward taking them to the hat stand that bent for the house-elf.

"Come on kids" smiled Alphard he looked like Sirius when he smiled "Eric is waiting, he made spaghetti"

Elladora smiled happily, Eric was Uncle Alphard's friend, he lived with Uncle Alphard and even let them call him Uncle Eric but only in private because Walburga didn't like it.

They entered the kitchen come dining room; Eric was grating cheese into a bowl "hey kids" he had a strong southern accent "spaghetti bolognaise ya!" he said trying to do Italian style of talking

Regulus and Elladora giggled and took seats at the table, while Sirius went up to Eric and began carrying bowls to the table.

"This looks great Eric" smiled Uncle Alphard he always looked happy when he talked or even looked at Eric. Elladora knew that was because they were special friends- well that's what Uncle Eric called it.

"We don't have spaghetti anymore at home" said Regulus as he ladled pasta onto his plate

"Slow down little man, your eyes are bigger than your belly" joked Eric brushing his ginger hair back "why don't you have spaghetti anymore?" he scooped some pasta onto his own plate

Sirius glared at Regulus who put his head down

"Because Blitz use to cook it, Kreacher doesn't know how" said Elladora she wasn't scared to share "Tula knew the basics too" she swung her feet backwards and forwards on her chair

"Why don't Tula and Blitz cook anymore?" asked Alphard carefully twirling his spaghetti around his fork like an expert

"Because, they can't" said Elladora she took a mouthful of pasta

Eric and Alphard looked confused "Sirius?" asked Alphard

Sirius swallowed slowly "Tula dropped the tea tray" he explained "mum...well you know lost her temper, and well now we have new decorations"

Eric looked shocked, even though he'd never been in their house- Elladora didn't know why- he must know about the beheading.

"Blitz as well?" asked Alphard his eyes dark

"Yes" said Regulus sadly "he tried to help Tula, dad said that he wasn't faithful anymore"

"Yeah but now we're stuck with sad old Kreacher who will be dead in a few years" said Sirius wickedly

"Sirius" warned Uncle Alphard, but he was smiling

"Yeah Sirius" snickered Elladora "watch your mouth or you'll get what I got"

"What did you get princess?" asked Eric as he collected the dirty plates

Sirius aimed a gentle warning kick at Elladora under the table but it hit Regulus who yelped. Elladora shut her mouth quickly "nothing" she muttered.

But it didn't turn into nothing. As they all got ready for bed Eric and Alphard sat them all together on the sofa for a bed time story. Eric had a wonderful reading voice; he could do loads of different accents and pitches.

Elladora sat on her uncle's lap and listened. But the story soon ended "another one?" she asked "please?"

Alphard rolled his eyes "no its bed time" he said

"That's not fair" she crossed her arms

"Come now don't frown" Alphard tickled under the arms and she squirmed giggling before gasping when he tickled her back.

Alphard stepped away quickly "did I hurt you?" he asked. But it was Sirius answered it for him as he gently cuddled her and kissed Elladora's forehead...her eyes were damp.

Alphard leant forward over her and gently prized her from Sirius's arms "where does it hurt?" he asked gently

Elladora looked into her uncle's kind brown eyes, the same colour as their mother's but more gentle "my back" she whispered

Alphard looked at Eric who nodded "can I see"

Elladora bit her lip but slowly pulled her nightgown up showing her little white knickers and the yellow and brown bruises. When she put it back down, her uncle's face was a mask of horror and anger

Eric had his hand over his mouth "how did that happen?" his voice was shaky

"I was naughty" said Elladora

"Your mother let this happen?" asked Alphard there was a underline of anger in his voice

Elladora nodded "mum didn't do it though" said Elladora everyone was staring at her and she could feel her cheeks turning pink "dad says we need to be punished"

"well I'm going to have a little chat with my sister tomorrow" he said reassuringly picking her up and sitting her back on his lap "come on one more story"

Just like that the fear vanished from Elladora's face as they re-opened the book.

The screaming and shouting was terrible, it echoed from the dining room along with the sounds of smashing plates and falling chairs.

"MY OWN SISTER!" it was uncle Alphard's voice "I HONESTLY CANNOT BELIEVE THIS YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!"

"PUNISHMENT IS NECESSARY!" echoed their mother "FARTHER DID IT TO US, IT MADE CGYNUS AND I STRONG!"

"OH VERY LOW OF YOU WALBURGA!" they'd never heard their uncle so angry "YOU CAN NEVER ACCEPT ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY CAN YOU? YOU WILL NEVER ACCEPT ERIC!"

The shouting stopped, Elladora looked to her brother's faces as they stood huddled together by the stairs what had happened now

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" their mother's voice suddenly blazed, all civil tones gone from her voice "NOW!"

"YOU COULD NEVER ADMIT TO BEEN WRONG WAL!" the door opened "NEVER, AND THAT WAS ALWAYS YOUR DOWN FALL!"

"ORION!" their father moved unbelievably fast from his study, he ran down the stairs and drew his wand "you have out stayed your welcome now do as my wife says leave" he extended his wand arm towards their uncle

Alphard drew his own wand "you are a son of a bitch!" he spat he didn't even acknowledge the children "my sister was wrong to marry you the only thing good that came out of this marriage was my niece and nephews" he looked to the children then and his eyes were sad and old looking. Alphard lowered his wand "let me say goodbye to them, then I will leave and will not come back"

"No go now!" shouted their mother her face was red and blotchy

"GO!" ordered their father

Alphard smiled to them then went to the door slamming it on his way out

"Uncle Alphard!" cried Regulus he went for the door but their father's hand flew out and caught him "you are never to see, talk, acknowledge, or even associate with Alphard Black again" the children all looked between their parents and at the door "yes father" they said together like rehearsed professionals.

"I am disgraced" Walburga removed her own wand from her deep pocket in her dress she went into the living room "come children see what happens to those who do not obey family laws and restrictions" she went to the large black family tapestry and pointed to her brother's name "this is a lesson you will need to learn" she said and then her wand tip glowed bright and then sound like a canon echoed round the room, Elladora covered her ears. Once the smoke that has issued after the bang had cleared, they all looked up to a dirty black smouldering mark on the tapestry; their uncle was no longer a member of the tree. He had been outlawed by them. Elladora felt sick to her stomach he was only defending her.