An End

August 20th, 1936

There was silence in the drawing room. Nobody so much as breathed. Charis had a horrible feeling in her stomach, as if she was going to be sick. She knew that her life was about to change. That the next words her father spoke would destroy her childhood and force her into the cruel, harsh world of adults.

"Leave."

Her father's voice was low, but firm. He had made up his mind. Not that there had ever really been a choice.

"Please, Father", Ella was begging, tears running down her face.

"You made your decision, Cedrella. Now I have made mine."

"Please, reconsider." It was a mark of her strength that she attempted to argue with her father. Arcturus Black was not the sort of man one argued with.

"Will you reconsider?"

Ella looked down for a moment.

"No", she said softly.

"Then neither will I."

"I'm your daughter!" she cried desperately.

Arcturus stood.

"No daughter of mine would marry a traitor", he hissed, his eyes blazing.

Ella collapsed on the floor, sobbing. Arcturus swept from the room, stepping over her as if she didn't exist.

After a few minutes, she looked up, her eyes red.

"Mama?" she asked, tentatively. But Lysandra just shook her head.

"We must do what is best", she told her daughter, before elegantly following her husband.

And so it was only the two of them left. For once, Charis wished that Dora was there. Dora, who was always perfect, always knew what was right. But it was only the two of them.

Ella sat facing the wall, sobs shaking her body. Charis watched her for a moment, wondering when she had last seen her sister cry.

"You promised", said Charis bitterly.

Ella turned, surprised that Charis hadn't left.

"You promised", said Charis again, this time with anger. "You swore on the tapestry!"

A look of horror settled on Ella's face.

"Charis, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I just…I couldn't -"

"You couldn't what, Ella? You couldn't stand to live in this house another moment? Well, you've certainly accomplished that."

"I love him, Charis", she said softly.

"Oh, you love him. How beautiful. Let's all hug and make up shall we? He's a Weasley, Ella! A blood-traitor! You've ruined our family! Our life!"

"You'll survive without me", she said, although she sounded a little unsure.

"Well, that changes everything doesn't it?"

They were silent. Ella didn't have anything to say to that.

"You were supposed to stay", said Charis after a while, her voice choked. "You promised you'd stay."

"Cherry, I'm so sorry."

Ella was crying again.

"I'll never see you again, will I?"

"Yes…" Ella seemed to realise she shouldn't make any more promises that she couldn't keep. "Probably not", she whispered.

"I thought you were different", said Charis. "I thought you loved me."

"I do love you, with all my heart."

"Then stay."

"I can't."

"You can't, or you won't?"

"Both."

Charis nodded, as if she understood. But she didn't think she'd ever understand.

"When's the wedding?" she asked.

"I don't know. I thought…I thought perhaps this wouldn't happen. I thought perhaps they'd be happy for me. So we were going to wait and see."

Charis imagined Ella planning it all out. Ever since they were little, Ella had been planning her wedding. A huge event, in the garden, with all the roses in bloom. Well, that was never going to happen now.

There were footsteps in the hall.

"I have to go", said Charis.

Ella nodded.

They didn't hug.

"Goodbye", said Charis.

"Goodbye", whispered Ella.

Charis couldn't believe she'd never see her again. Ella had been her best friend for so many years. With their father at work, and their mother constantly entertaining guests, it had only been the two of them. Of course, there was Dora. But Dora was never any fun, and more often than not she'd be cooped up in the library with her latest book.

Charis hesitated at the door.

"I'll miss you", she said quietly.

"I'll miss you too."

She held Ella's eyes for a moment, trying to memorise her features. Her startling blue eyes, her long, rosy cheeks. Her lips that were so often curved into a smile. Her brown, curly hair that she was forever attempting to tame. Charis wondered how soon it would be that she would forget it all.

She smiled briefly, but Ella only managed another sob. They both knew that this was the end.

A/N: Thank-you for reading this far! I'd really appreciate any comments or thoughts you have on the story so far, and constructive criticism is always encouraged. This is my first chapter fic, so I'd love to know what you think. Thank-you again!