Chapter 27: Tails
Arielle and Zellena approached us at that moment and Arielle grinned at me.
"Hello Lindsy!" greeted she, and then promptly enfolded my sister in a hug. "Great to see you Melody! It has been too long!"
A week and a bloody half, only a week and a half.
My interest was with the raven haired Hayes child, who was observing my snake with interest.
"Do you like Serpen Zellena?" I asked, giving her a kind smile.
"Yes!" exclaimed she, a bit too loud for the occasion, immediately blushing as her sister shot her a reprimanding look.
"Sorry." Murmured she, looking down, once more observing my snake.
"Don't worry about it, I used to get too excited when I was your age too" smiled Melody kindly, and I remembered that this was by far too true. "Linds used to reprimand me all the time as well."
"Zell knows better" spoke Arielle, smiling at her younger sister "don't you love?"
"Yes…" responded Zellena, once more embarrassed.
"Would you like to pet him?" I asked, watching as a smile blossomed across her face and noticing that a small smile pulled on my lips as well.
"May I?" asked she, her voice brimming with excitement.
I was not sure if she was asking me or her sister, but I saw it fit to respond, voicing my familiar's approval.
"You may." I responded, turning to Serpen "Come now Serpen, meet Zellena."
He slithered up to her, his head raised in observation and expectance.
She reached her hand timidly, smiling as her skin made contact with his scales.
"How did they react?" asked Arielle, appearing next to me.
"Surprised" I answered shortly, and as she was about to ask more, I continued, ending the conversation "we should follow."
I then walked past them, Serpen following in my steps along with my sister who had her familiar perched on her arm.
I ended that conversation before it had begun for I knew that I would need all my self-control for events to follow.
I was right, as it took me a significant amount of self-control not to show my anger openly, not even by the tiniest of gestures.
We had been served marinated shrimps with cauliflower and Campari for appetizers and I was currently listening to Lynette praising the dish.
"Your house elves are simply extraordinary" spoke she, smiling across the table at my grandmother "I could never make this dish so tasty. The shrimps seem to melt away in my mouth."
"Oh this is nothing" responded my grandmother, and one would believe she was the one to have done the cooking, "you should see the feast they prepare for Christmas."
Arielle kept glancing at me from across the table, but I sat there, my movements practiced and effortless, taking small bites of the dish prepared for me, remaining silent, merely listening to the conversations around me, building up my resolve.
I was distracted by the first course of the dinner, which I found to be burrata with transmontanus caviar, zucchini and puffed anchovy.
I found the dish to my taste, and took a few small bites before I noticed that one person was not eating at all.
Arielle was sitting three chairs away from me, next to Zellena, not touching her food at all. I noticed that her cutlery was clean, meaning that she had not even taken one bite, as any basic manners would dictate. How distasteful.
I glanced at her once more, barely restraining myself.
However, I was not the only one to have noticed. My sister glanced at Arielle as well, and she spoke up, genuine worry in her voice.
"Is something wrong Arielle?" spoke she silently, but she could not avoid having everyone hear her question seeing as she had spoken in the rare moment of silence at the table. How convenient.
I now turned my head completely, observing Arielle's plate, peeved at her. She could at least have pretended to eat, one bite wouldn't have killed her.
"I am truly sorry " responded she, looking up, her fleeting gaze passing her mother and then settling on my grandmother. "I am sure that this is delicious, but I am afraid that my stomach does not react well to either caviar or zucchini."
Stony silence ruled at the table as all present purebloods, even her mother, took in just how disrespectful Arielle's act was.
Her mother seemed to be the first one to react and she gave my grandmother an apologetic smile "Forgive her Antila, she never could eat zucchinis or caviar, she'd get terribly ill."
I scoffed at her in my mind, bur kept my face emotionless. Forgive her? Please, she should have been taught manners of a pureblood long ago, even if she wasn't one herself and even if her mother could never be one again.
"That is perfectly alright" smiled my grandmother in return, ever the charming witch, "I would be most displeased if dear Arielle got ill because she forced herself to eat something that simply does not sit well with her."
I would not be.
I had once more managed to impersonate a statue, and I was pretty pleased with my behaviour until I caught a look from my grandfather.
I looked down to my hand and saw that it was holding my knife by far too tightly and I willed it to relax promptly. Maybe I was not as good as I thought I was, which was all the more reason for me to hurry and say what needed to be said.
"Lynette…" I called, my low tone loud in the room that fell silent as we waited for our main course.
Said woman turned towards me, her eyes wide, fear prominent in them. Her older daughter seemed to tense as well, and I knew that she was listening intently to my every word.
"It is my wish to say that my behaviour at the station was completely unacceptable, and that I regret it most sincerely. Please… accept my apologies." I spoke, maintaining eye contact, struggling to keep my voice levelled.
I watched as something shone in the woman's eyes, a fleeting emotion, so distant to my heart. Hope.
"Thank you Rosalind." Replied she, offering me a smile, composing herself promptly and I looked away, meeting Arielle's eyes.
She seemed to echo her mother's words, and I focused my attention on the food that seemed to arrive at just the right time. We were served a dish of chicken tikka masala over pitta bread and yogurt mint sauce. This was one of my favourite dishes, but I was in no mood to eat, my mood having deteriorated rapidly as the dinner went on.
For once, my grandmother proved useful, brining news that would lift my spirits significantly.
"Oh, goodness me," spoke my grandmother as we were halfway through the course "I completely forgot to mention this."
Liar.
"Sirius is back home." She spoke and I froze in my movements, my fork halfway to my mouth. I slowly lowered my hand, resting my fork against my plate.
Have I heard her correctly? And what in the world was she doing, talking about such a delicate matter in front of these people?
But if that was true, then… Tails was back.
"I thought you of all people would be overjoyed Rosalind dear, you know Lynette, he used to come by all the time when…" she stopped at that, her cheerful tone wavering for a moment.
She smiled once more, continuing as if nothing was wrong "when the girls were young." When my parents were still alive. "He'd change into his animagus form and run around the room with the girls on his back. I remember that Rosalind in particular was very fond of him…"
"I am." I spoke, interrupting her before she could give them any more information they had no business having. "I shall visit him as soon as possible, Melody , you are welcome to come with me as well."
My tone was final, ending the conversation, creating an uncomfortable silence at the table. Everyone seemed to have caught up with the change in the atmosphere, and respected it, save for Arielle.
"Hey Linds" called she across the table, "would it be alright if I came along with you two?"
"NO!" I hissed at her, and cursed her mentally one thousand times. I caught a look from my grandfather, but I would not be backing down, nor would I be as thick as to apologize. Sirius Black was no freak show for her to gape at, nor would I even consider endangering him for her entertainment.
She gave me a surprised glance, obviously not having expected something like this.
My grandmother was the one to try and repair the damage I had caused, speaking up with one more charming smile "Come now Rosalind, dear, I am sure Sirius would love to have some company in that old, dreary house. Surely he would not mind, I say dear Arielle can go."
She gave one more smile to the Hayes family, before turning sharply to face me as I hissed out :" And I say she cannot!"
I had grit my teeth tightly, glaring at my grandmother who sat opposite me, her smile vanishing.
Silence ruled once more, and all purebloods present knew that this was not so much about Sirius, as it was about authority. She had no right to overrule a decision of my making.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble" spoke Arielle, but I doubted she could fully grasp just how serious this problem was.
To openly question my decisions in front of guests, my grandmother had gone too far.
"Quiet dear" whispered Lynette, observing us intently. She, unlike her quite naïve daughter, knew well how defining this moment was.
"You have caused no trouble." Spoke up my grandfather and I tensed, my nerves taking over. The side he takes now will be most significant, it will affirm or discredit my position as the heiress. "But I fear that this decision is out of my hands. Sirius means a lot to my granddaughter, and hers is the right to determine your right of visit, however advantageous or disadvantageous it may be."
My grandmother flinched, the movement just barely visible, and her head was slightly bowed.
But I had understood the message, this decision should be made with a clear head.
Arielle had access to important documents through her mother, she knew a great deal about magical law, even possessed knowledge I had no recollection off, and were she interested enough, I was sure that she would give it her all to free him off his charges.
But she could also prove disastrous for him, exposing him or getting him killed.
Yet he could not live in that old, dreary house forever. That was the fact that had me reconsider, and then form my decision. I would use her, and were she to prove dangerous, I would do my best to help my cousin, stopping at nothing.
"My decision is final." I spoke and my grandfather seemed to sense that there was more to be said as he paid close attention to my words." You are to come along with my sister and me. However, if you endanger Sirius Black in any shape or form, you will answer to me."
She frowned at me, most likely not caring much for my tone, and the conversation continued, albeit with some difficulty.
My grandfather started a conversation with Arielle's father, who had been eyeing me warily, even somewhat angrily. For a muggle, he was plenty brave, but I had no patience for his bravery.
We proceeded to the deserts, with Arielle not glancing my way once. I did not know if she was hurt by my comment, if she was angry or disappointed. And I did not care, because I knew who I was doing this for. Sirius had just been returned to me, I would not risk losing him again, not after all I had lost before.
We had been served berry cheesecake with fruit sauce for deserts, and as each person finished their meal, my sister called Arielle's attention to her once more.
"I never got to give you your Christmas present Ari" smiled she, waving her hand and having her own house elf, Flake, approach her, carrying two perfectly wrapped packages.
"This one is for you" spoke she, taking a small, flat looking gift and handing it to Arielle, "and this one for Zellena."
The child's eyes widened as she was handed a tall, wrapped gift.
"Can I open it now mommy?" asked she, and Lynette gave her a smile, approving of the action.
Merlin, who was now perched at the back of Melody's chair, watched intently along with his mistress as the child reached up on the table, carefully unwrapping the package and producing a glass globe with a flat bottom. It was empty, save for a patch of what appeared to be earth.
Zellena opened her mouth to inquire about her present, but as she did, a sprout appeared in the earth, growing with astounding speed and blossoming into a yellow rose. The rose then seemed to wither a bit, her petals wrinkling.
"This is a magical rose" explained my sister, amused with the disappointment that had followed the child's initial excitement. "each day, from the break of dawn up to noon, it will grow, and blossom in this rose. And each afternoon it will start to wither, bit by bit, only to be completely gone by midnight. It will be completely accurate, almost like your own personal floral watch."
Zellena's eyes widened once more in absolute delight and she turned in her seat, hugging my sister who was conveniently seated right next to her.
"Thank you Melody, thank you so much! This rose is awesome!" exclaimed she, letting go as suddenly as she had hugged her, returning her attention to her rose.
Perhaps not awesome, but the rose was very impressive. Simply beautiful magic.
Zellena then turned to her sister, her eyes gleaming, and she spoke "Open yours!"
Arielle caught my eyes and gave me a hard look, before smiling down at her sister.
"Sure love." She spoke, also unwrapping her gift, albeit with less excitement and less attention to the paper.
She produced a scarlet t-shirt, and as she held it up, I found that there was a panther painted at the front of the shirt, and it was moving. It was observing Arielle with curiosity and then meowed in delight as Arielle grinned.
"She will reflect your mood, you can also bewitch her to be quiet." Explained my sister, smiling contently.
"What do you think Shadow?" asked Arielle, looking down, and it was only then that I noticed that her familiar had followed us into the dining room, settling beneath her chair. I suppose there were too many events for me to keep track of them all.
The panther growled at its representation on the shirt, and Lynette laughed.
"That's brilliant Melody" grinned Arielle, turning to my sister "and I have something for you too."
She pulled out a small package from her purse, waving her wand which she had also produced from her bag, enlarging the package.
It was off an odd, rectangular shape, and as my sister accepted it, her hands fell downwards at the unexpected heaviness.
She laid the package on the table with a little difficulty and as everyone observed her, decided to open it immediately.
What she found there was very odd, and her familiar tilted his head in observance. It was a radio, and I could not fathom why Arielle found this to be an appropriate gift.
"Thank you…" responded my sister, she too surprised by the gift and rather unsure as to what the meaning behind this gift was.
"It only plays Queen music, I bewitched it myself" grinned Arielle at her, explaining her rather odd gift.
My sister's eyes widened, and I was still unsure as to what "Queen music" was when she turned to Arielle, beaming at her.
"Thank you so, so , so much Ari!" she exclaimed, entranced by her gift. Well good for her, I thought and as I observed the surface of the table, I saw my own arm, decorated by the same snake bracelet Arielle had given me a mere day ago.
That's right, I had gifts for them as well.
"Tolly." I called silently , knowing that no one would hear me as I summoned my house elf to myself. She was there in the next second, apparating by my chair with a little pop as she was not one of the house elves appointed to be serving us tonight.
She had been warned that I would be summoning her, and was carrying two gifts in her hands.
"Thank you Tolly," I spoke, accepting the gifts, by now having the attention of the adults present at the table.
"I too have something to give you." I spoke, standing up from my seat slowly, and then walking up to Zellena.
"For you Zellena" I spoke, giving her a small wrapped box.
She accepted it with a wide smile and I waited as she unwrapped it eagerly, only to find a dark brown antique jewellery box. She seemed amazed by the box itself, but as she slowly and carefully opened it, she let out an involuntary gasp.
There, on an emerald bedding, she found a simple platinum necklace with one south sea cream coloured pearl. It also had a small, round diamond connecting the chain and the pearl.
No one spoke for a moment and Zellena just stared at the necklace, not even breathing.
"This, this, this" managed she after a while, bringing smiles on the faces of all women present there.
"Breathe love" encouraged Arielle and Zellena was up in a second, and in a flurry of movement, I found myself enfolded in a tight hug. I tensed, not really having expected this.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" exclaimed Zellena, and Arielle came to my rescue, separating her sister from me.
As her eyes met mine, I spoke up once more.
"And this is for you." I said, handing her a small, rectangle shaped package.
She frowned, most likely not wishing to open it right then and there, but the insistent stare of her sister had her change her mind.
She removed the paper quickly, only to find an old, worn looking book. But as she read the letters on the cover, or more correctly, the runes, the shabbiness of the book did not seem to be of any relevance.
"Is this…?" she asked, not able to form a full question.
""Potions and draughts"" I confirmed, and she simply stared at the book, holding it so lightly, as if it were made of glass and might fall apart any moment.
Her mother gasped at that, knowing just what sort of treasure her daughter was holding in her hands.
"One of the oldest and rarest potions book ever written. There are only two left in existence, one in the property of an old wizard in Asia, and one my gift to you. Merry Christmas." I responded, a small smile on my face in response to the joy on hers.
"Linds, this is…" she said and I finished for her.
"Invaluable." I replied, all my anger gone in that short moment "As you are to me. Consider it my thanks for your words last night."
"Thank you" she breathed, and I smiled at her, once more taking my place at the table.
"There is just one more gift left to be given" spoke my grandmother, giving us all a brilliant smile. "Lynette, Caleb, Merry Christmas."
She handed them a bottle of some fine wine or the other, and after a few more minutes, we parted ways.
"Remember this address" I spoke, handing my sister and Arielle a piece of parchment and they huddled together, reading the offered address, remembering it. Grimmauld Place 12, London.
"Whose address is this?" asked Arielle, frowning up at me and I took the parchment from my sister's hand, knowing that she had remembered the information offered to her and taking out my wand from my purse, tapping it against the parchment and stating "Incendio!"
Fire blossomed from the middle of the parchment, spreading out to its very edges, crumpling them, turning them to ashes, and as the flames reached my fingers, I let go of the parchment, watching as it drifted to the floor, the wind enhancing the fire, hurrying the entire process.
"This is the address of the Black family, courtesy of Albus Dumbledore." I spoke, turning around and calling "Tolly."
The said house elf appeared in front of me, bowing.
"Yes mistress?" asked she, as Serpen slithered towards her, having grown fond of the old elf.
"Bring me my coat please." I asked, and she bowed once more, disapparating with a pop, leaving Serpen confused and frustrated.
"Fidelius charm?" asked my sister, stretching her arm simultaneously and having her falcon land.
"Indeed." I replied, knowing that my sister was very familiar with the charm, as it was one of the defensive kind she would have thought of first to hide a dwelling of that size.
I frowned at her and her familiar, who wrinkled the fabric of her dark blue cardigan. She had not chosen to wear something appropriate, the least she could do is keep the clothing she had chosen clean. She had matched the cardigan with a black sweater, black slim fit jeans, and dark blue ankle high boots. At the very least she had chosen some appropriate jewellery, a pendant with a black rose and onyx tear dropped earrings, left exposed by her hair which was styled to fall in waves down her back.
I turned to Tolly as another pop announced her presence, and in the same time huffed at Arielle's appearance, which was even less acceptable. She had chosen a grey denim shirt that was for some ungodly reason tied just below her bellybutton and whose sleeves barely reached her elbows. She had chosen to pair this atrocity with a black leather jacket, dark blue slim fit jeans, black converse shoes and a pendant with the head of a panther. How lovely. She had pulled her hair up in a high ponytail, and she bent down beside her familiar, scratching the rather large panther beside the ears.
She was neither dressed for winter, nor for visiting a pure-blooded wizard.
I, on the other hand, had not thrown away any semblance of sanity, and had chosen to wear something appropriate. It was a black, floor length gown with a slit on my left leg, reaching up just above my knee and an open back only slightly shadowed by lace in floral patterns. As it was only appropriate, I had chosen black high heels, a dark blue purse, a diamond and sapphire ring, a feather crystal necklace that twisted around my neck and a coat that reached to the floor, which I was currently buttoning up.
I put my collar up, shielding my neck from the cold we were sure to face, as it was exposed to the cold winds.
I then approached the two, looking down at Arielle who was still hunched next to Shadow.
"I wish to review the rules you are to abide once more before we depart." I spoke, looking down at her, uncertainty clouding my mind. Was this really such a good idea?
"No pointless questions, no reckless moves, no mentioning this visit to anyone or anything" counted she, and then added, sticking her tongue out at me "no fun!"
"As long as you understand" I scoffed at her, turning on my heel and approaching Nally, who was standing by the doors of the Western wing, holding an old flower pot.
"Your sister is way too worried, I'm not a kid!" I heard Arielle say, slight disappointment to her words.
I took the pot from the elf's hands lightly, thanking him and turned back to the girls.
"Sirius means a lot to her, she's just being careful…" whispered my sister, hopping I could not hear them.
"That would be enough of that idle chatter." I spoke, offering them the pot. "We leave momentarily."
They placed their hand on the port key, recognizing it immediately, and using their other hands to reach for their familiars, so that they too would be transported.
I waited a moment or two and felt Serpen slither up my leg, wrapping around my torso, and finally resting on my shoulders.
I tapped the pot with my wand, wordlessly chanting "Absconditus potestas!"
A flash of blue, a tugging feeling in my navel and the feeling of my stomach doing a summersault in my body, followed my silent request, and as I was once more pulled to the side ever more, I did my best not to vomit.
I took a deep breath as we landed, Serpen immediately slithering down to the floor, knowing how heavy he was, and kept my eyes shut tightly.
It took me by far too long to recompose myself, being the only one out of the three who suffered from sickness whenever I travelled via port key. A fact that peeved me beyond words.
I opened my eyes with another deep breath, and noticed that we had appeared on the wide first step of the staircase that led to the front door of the Black manor.
I glanced back, only to see my sister and Arielle staring back with eager expressions.
I stepped forward, my hand raising and grasping the ornate silver knocker on the black doors, knocking twice.
Nothing could be heard from the house, and I guessed rather correctly that the house had been bewitched to keep any noise within its thick walls.
The doors suddenly swung open, and I found myself facing a man with his wand pointed at my head.
He was rather tall, at least two heads taller than me, even while wearing my heels, with black wavy hair that reached his shoulders, startling grey eyes that reminded me of my grandmother and a long, thin nose of an aristocrat, typical for the Black family.
He was supposed to be in his late thirties, but he seemed older somehow, tired, worn out.
But that didn't matter to me, for I recognised him immediately. Tails was back, and he was standing before me now, safe and sound.
His eyes were careful as he assessed me, making me realize I had my wand drawn still, and I knew that he did not recognise me.
His eyes moved to Arielle, assessing her as well, with his wand still pointed at me, but he found no recollection of her either.
And yet, as his eyes moved to Melody, his carefully composed facade crumbled, and his lips parted, whispering "Crysanthia…".
It was an easy mistake to make, with my sister resembling our mother so strongly, and his eyes snapped towards me once more, recognition finally settling in.
"Rosalind.." whispered he, and then stepped towards me, leaning out on the street and ushering us in "go in, quickly now, quickly!"
I stepped forward, slightly surprised to see Remus Lupin facing me, his wand still aimed at us, with a short, plump woman with red, curly hair by his side, her wand still drawn.
I heard the doors slam shut behind us, and Sirius made his way forward, leading us to the living room quickly, Lupin and the woman following us, wands drawn.
I almost ran into him as he stopped suddenly and turned to scrutinize us.
"What sort of a welcome is this?" I asked, a delighted smirk forming on my lips "Where are your manners? Will you not offer to take our coats Tails?"
Suddenly, he lunged forward, and before I could make a move, his strong arms enfolded me, pressing me to him tightly, clutching me as if he was afraid I'd disappear.
But I did not hug him back, I found my hands frozen to my side, so heavy, as if they were made of lead, impossible to lift. He was here now… but for how long? When would I lose him again?
My chest tightened as emotions overwhelmed me, sadness, relief, happiness. Anger.
He let me go slowly, and his deep grey eyes focused on mine, and I looked down, stepping back.
"Won't you give Tails a hug sister?" I asked before he could do anything, and I stepped back once more, standing next to Arielle.
As my sister hugged Sirius, I allowed myself a smile. It was good to have my cousin back, someone who had behaved like an older brother towards us.
And yet, I was still so alone.
"Are you alright?" whispered Arielle, talking from the corner of her mouth.
"Fine." I replied shortly, not wishing to draw any more attention towards us, knowing that Lupin and the woman were still observing us intently, their wands put away.
"Rosalind" started Sirius, making a step towards us, but I didn't want to hear it, the words that his eyes were screaming at me. I'm sorry.
"I wish to introduce you to someone Tails" I responded, interrupting him before he could finish his thought. "This is Arielle Hayes."
He glanced at her quickly, and then back at me, taking one step towards me more, opening his mouth to finish his thought and coming to a stop suddenly, turning his head to Arielle who immediately offered her hand.
"It's nice to meet you." She spoke with a wide grin, and he took her hand, bringing it to his lips and introducing himself in the most pompous way he could imagine.
"Sirius Orion Black" responded he, giving her a seductive grin, "and I assure you, the pleasure is all mine."
I was glad for the first time in a long while that Arielle had that obnoxious personality of hers, for she was not impressed in the least. That was the last thing I needed at that moment.
"I am sure." Responded she, cocking her eyebrow and smirking at him, enjoying the exchange.
Shadow seemed to be enjoying the exchange too, and she choked out a laugh, drawing Sirius' attention towards herself.
His eyes widened, as he only then realised that he had a falcon, a snake and a panther in his house.
"Familiars Sirius" responded Lupin, reminding me of why exactly he remained my favourite professor of the DADA. "there's no doubt about it."
"We have a lot to talk about." Spoke Sirius, his eyes once more finding mine, and I remembered seeing those eyes on a giant black hound so many years ago.
"Indeed. But perhaps not today." I responded, glancing at the woman, and I noticed a look of despise in her eyes as she observed me. She knew who I was then, and it took me a moment to realize who she was. Red hair, large nose, plump, obvious similarity to the Prewett family. I was being judged by no other than Molly Weasley, in the flesh. It should be an honour, but it really, really wasn't. "I see that you have…" I spoke, and then turned towards her, a mocking note to my words "company."
"Linds!" whispered my sister, who had come to stand by my side once more, "Don't be rude."
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Sirius "You'll stay for lunch, Molly doesn't mind, do you?"
The woman flinched once, but fixed a smile on her face "This is your house Sirius, of course I don't mind. I'll set the table and"
She got interrupted by none other than Harry Potter, our chosen boy, walking in the room, saying.
"Is everything alright Sirius we thought we heard…." Spoke he, but stopped in the middle of the sentence, seeing the three of us gathered there. Unfortunately, as it was by far too often the case , he was tailed by his two friends, the know-it-all and my favourite idiot.
Said idiot drew his wand immediately, aiming it straight at my heart.
"What are you doing here Snake?" demanded he, and Sirius moved immediately, standing in front of me.
"Lower your wand Ron" I heard Lupin say, but I could not see very clearly what was happening due to my overprotective cousin.
"She's a death eater professor!" exclaimed he, and I heard movement on the other side, noticing that Sirius had also pulled out his wand.
I stood to the left, so that I could see Harry had drawn his wand as well, along with the Weasley matriarch, and now stood facing Sirius who had drawn his wand and had aimed it at Ron.
Lupin stood in the middle, trying to stop the duel.
"Don't be ridiculous Ron, lower your wand!" exclaimed Arielle, she too having drawn her wand.
"Protecting your friend are you Hayes?" snapped he, not doing as he was told. How typical.
"Lower your wand Ronniekins, you're going to poke someone's eye out." I taunted, peering around Sirius and trying to pass him by.
"She's working for he-who-must-not-be-named!" exclaimed Ronniekins, and his twin brothers appeared in the room, summoned by the commotion.
"She's not, she's not a death eater!" exclaimed Melody, and it seemed to be enough for Sirius.
"Molly, have your boy lower his wand or I will take it away from him!" snapped he, defending me without asking a single question.
"We can't have a Death Eater here Sirius!" snapped the woman.
"Don't insult her!" snapped my sister, holding on to my hand tightly, and I was not sure if she was restraining me or herself.
The room burst out in a chorus of yells, demands and threats, and I had begun to develop a headache.
Serpen hissed in agreement by my side and I shook off my sister's grip, walking in the middle of the room.
"How about…" I spoke, and everyone fell silent, observing me, " I show you my forearm?"
I then slowly and deliberately pulled back the sleeve on my dress, exposing pale skin, barren of any marks.
All eyes were focused on my arm and a sardonic smile pulled my lips up.
"Or should I show you my other arm? Perhaps the Dark Lord made a mistake and marked the wrong arm?" I taunted, slowly, deliberately pulling my other sleeve up.
"You heard her, she said the Dark Lord!" exclaimed Ronniekins and I raised an eyebrow.
"I did , boy!" I hissed, reaching slowly for my purse, having every intention of pulling out my wand and teaching the boy a lesson.
Serpen hissed, curling around my feet, swaying his head left and right, ready to bite anyone who dared approach me.
But Arielle was quicker, she appeared next to me in a second, positioning herself between me and the wands pointed at me.
Melody was there in the next moment, and I noticed that she was biting her lip in her nerves, her wand out as well.
"Don't" whispered she to me, taking a hold of my hand before I could reach my wand.
"I suggest we all calm down" spoke Arielle, her wand still raised at the group opposite us.
"She's right, lower your wands Molly, Ron, Sirius" spoke Lupin, walking over to Sirius, trying to get him to lower his wand.
"I will not bloody lower my wand Remus!" exclaimed he, and he swooped past us, towering over Ron and getting in his face.
"This is my house boy, and I am not going to stand here and listen to you insult my cousin!" snarled he, resembling a dog remarkably.
"Get away from my son Sirius!" hissed Molly, stepping closer to the two while Lupin struggled to lower Harry's wand.
"James would never have allowed you to attack someone who had proved he was innocent Harry!" spoke he, pulling down Potty's hand.
"Sister" whispered Melody, standing closer to me in the mayhem.
"But she's a bloody Death Eater!" persisted Ron and Arielle left my side, to go and join Sirius in threatening the boy.
"She's not you imbecile!" I heard her say.
"Don't get involved Ari" chorused the twins, trying to avoid stepping on Arielle's panther who kept milling round people's feet, trying to attack and defend in the same time.
"What are you talking about? She's my fucking friend!" exclaimed Arielle, outraged.
My head felt like it was going to split in two any moment now, and I closed my eyes tightly, clenching my teeth.
Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP!
"That is enough!" I hissed, my voice carrying through the small room as a whisper, cold and sharp, silencing the people present immediately. Much better.
"We did not come here to cause trouble." I spoke, lifting my chin and looking down my nose at the Weasley family, most of all, Ronniekins and his gullible mother. "I thank you for your attempt to keep the peace Professor Lupin, I thank you for your hospitality Tails, but I see that your other ….guests, cannot bear the thought of occupying the same room as I. We shall return some other time, when you will be alone."
I pushed down the sleeves of my dress, having Serpen unfold himself in stony silence, seeing how the know-it-all of the group seemed torn by what she had witnessed, and making a step forward.
"Come along Melody, Arielle." I called, intertwining my fingers with those of my sister. "We are leaving."
I reached Arielle who was still glaring at Ronniekins, and as we made another step Sirius stretched out his hand in my way, barring my passage.
"Rosalind and Melody, along with their guest, are always welcome in my house" snarled he like a giant hound that he was, "and those that do not like it, are free to leave!"
Molly bristled, taking a hold of her son's hand, leading him away, along with his two friends.
"The lunch will be ready in an hour, there will be plenty for everyone." Called she, not turning to see us once.