'Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warning: Ill-treatment of children (i.e. Walburga Black makes her presence – and displeasure well known).
Chapter 10 – Mothers & Children and Family Secrets
Sirius stood in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place as the solid front door closed behind him. The normal, early evening sounds of residential London were abruptly silenced as the latch clicked and the magical locks slid smoothly into place. Regulus, warmly welcomed, had ascended the staircase to his room, his trunk whisked ahead of him by the family's staff of house elves. Sirius' trunk still stood next to him on the floor, where it had been unceremoniously left by those same elves.
"Sirius," the imperious voice of Walburga Black drifted from the library. "I believe I told you that I wished to speak with you. I will not tell you again."
With a sigh, Sirius closed the distance between himself and the black oak door of the family library. He stood, leaning against the door jam, loathe to take the final few steps that would complete the trip.
"Come in here, Sirius," commanded his mother, seated behind the large desk before the window. She gestured toward one of the two leather chairs in front of the desk. "Sit down. Now!"
There was no mistaking the steel resolve in her tone and Sirius lifted himself off the doorway and did as he was bid. Seating himself in one of the uncomfortable chairs, Sirius wondered idly if his parents purposefully charmed them to cause discomfort to ensure that they had the upper hand from the beginning of each interview they held. Shifting a bit, he decided that this was exactly the case.
Sirius looked across the vast expanse of his father's desk; his mother sat completely immobile, her posture rigid. Her white skin was offset to perfection by the deep green dress robes she wore and her black hair, only slightly touched by silver was upswept and captured in a clip of emeralds and diamonds. Her blue eyes, so like his own, glittered like ice and her crimson-stained lips communicated her displeasure more than any speech she could have delivered. Sirius unconsciously straightened his own posture. Despite Walburga's silence, Sirius knew a lecture was certainly forthcoming. He had been here before.
As if on cue, she took a deep breath and fixed her elder son with an even more intense glare. "I have been informed of your most ill-advised behavior during the last school-sponsored visit to Hogsmeade village. It is bad enough that you – a member of a most revered Pureblood family – would choose to associate with those considerably beneath us. No," Walburga held up one elegant hand to stop Sirius from responding, having heard his sharp intake of breath at her last comment. "Your comments do not interest me, nor are they relevant to this discussion. I am well aware of your position about those people. The Potters are a Pureblooded family, that is true enough; they have, however, fallen away from the old beliefs, the old ways. That stands them in a lesser position amongst the Purebloods of our world. The Lupin boy; well, John Lupin is a Pureblood, true, but he works for the Ministry and, of course, married a half-blood. In addition to that transgression, as if his unfortunate marriage wasn't enough, there have long been rumors about some … abnormality with the boy," she paused and peered even more sharply at her son. "I don't suppose that you know anything about that, do you?"
Sirius fought gamely to keep his anxiety from showing on his face and averted his eyes from the piercing gaze of his mother. Walburga was a superb Legilimens and had attempted to penetrate her sons' minds in the past. Strive though he would to keep his own secrets from the Black matriarch, Sirius was terrified that his efforts to hide Remus' condition might not be enough. Glancing up, Sirius was relieved to see that his mother was contemplating the large emerald and diamond ring on her right hand, apparently having recognized that Sirius would not make Legilimency easy for her.
"Very well," she stated, her voice deceptively impassive. "I will leave that point for now; it is a minor issue of curiosity, after all. It hardly matters in the scheme of things. Let us continue examining the contacts you have made for yourself; those which you continually refuse to cast out. Where was I? Oh, yes, the Pettigrew boy; as bitterly stupid and weak as his father ever was, but he, too, has ancient, untainted blood in his veins. He's made a poor choice, but his mother has always been a sympathizer of Dumbledore, Pureblood as she is, so with his father gone, Pettigrew has little example to guide him, has he? Clearly, you cannot be counted upon to provide a fellow Pureblood with a clear path." When Sirius continued to remain silent, Walburga's frown deepened, but this was the only outward sign of her escalating frustration. Sirius knew, however, that this would not long be the case.
"Lily Evans is a topic I will not dignify with comment. I have shared my views with you before now. The only saving grace I can find in that situation is the fact that you have not been so ill advised as to bed her. Oh, yes, my son," Walburga leaned forward, a malevolent smile on her lips. "I am well aware of your youthful indiscretions in the boudoir – amongst other places. There are those well-placed at Hogwarts who are only too happy to report your … shall we say activities … to me."
Sirius could not keep the hatred from his eyes but his expression otherwise did not change. He was fortunate in that his mother had decided to move in for the kill and did not examine his face more closely. Walburga did not react well to anything other than complete obedience – delivered with total respect – from her children.
"Now that this unfortunate behavior has come to light, let us examine it further. You have, despite the presence of many suitable Slytherin witches, taken up with a young witch with questionable family loyalties, despite the purity of her blood. She does, however, seem to have the good sense to have kept you out of her bed." Walburga rose and came around the desk to perch on the edge of it, directly in front of Sirius. "I intend to ensure that you are unsuccessful in that endeavor," she purred. "Morgan's family is not up to our standards with her father a coward and her mother an idiot. She must surely be at Hogwarts due to some type of Wizard debt by Dumbledore – or out of pity."
Sirius could keep silent no longer; he was trembling with rage – much to the amusement of his mother, who had done everything she could to provoke it. "You shut up about Kate," he began, only to be rewarded with a stinging slap to his face. He never even saw Walburga's hand move. "You don't know anything about her," he continued and Walburga drew back her hand and delivered another blow to the opposite cheek.
"Pray, Sirius, do not make me continue this," Walburga murmured. "We are having guests for dinner this evening and I would like to be relaxed to entertain them."
Sirius blinked back unwanted tears; while this was not the first time his mother had disciplined him in this manner, he had had no time to prepare himself and therefore the pain was far greater. A motion from the woman in front of him put him on his guard and he looked up. Walburga had drawn her wand from the pocket of her robes and was pointing it at Sirius' face. "Abstrego," she whispered and immediately, the pain and heat in his face were gone. "There," she said, returning her wand to her pocket and returning to her seat behind the desk. "All better. I trust there will be no repeat of this punishment this evening." It wasn't a question.
"Now, tonight, the Malfoys and your cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa will be joining us for dinner. I was appalled to hear of your insult to the girls when you encountered them in Hogsmeade. You brought great shame to this family with your disrespectful comment. You will make an apology to Lucius, Bella and Cissy prior to our other guests' arrival. Do you not care to know who will dine with us?"
"Does it make a difference if I do?" Sirius asked, preparing himself for some retaliation from his mother - shocked when none came.
"None," Walburga smiled, waving her manicured hand in dismissal. "But I will share the details with you nonetheless. You see, Sirius, when you were but a small child, your future was uppermost in our minds. Your father and I wanted to make certain that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black continued its line of Pureblood wizards and witches and you, as the first born son, were pivotal in that plan. Our second cousin, Eduard Bullstrode had recently welcomed a daughter, Ofelia, to his family. Your father and I met with Eduard and his wife, Lucretia, and indicated that we would be open to a marriage between our two houses. We agreed that we would revisit the arrangement when both children turned sixteen. As you have now reached that age, they will be joining us this evening – all three of them – to allow you to meet each other. Further discussions will ensue should a formal betrothal be acceptable to the Bullstrodes." Walburga paused. "Unfortunately, the Bullstrodes have certain … concerns about you, based on your behaviors at school. Their son, Arturo, is a seventh year Slytherin and has shared many stories with them. They are coming here this evening to have them proven untrue." She came around the desk once again but this time she came behind Sirius' chair and rested her hands on her elder son's shoulders. Walburga leaned down until her mouth was level with Sirius' ear. "Rest assured, my son, you will prove them false tonight. You will behave as the proper heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black or you will bear the consequences. Do I make myself clear, Sirius?"
Sirius did not answer immediately, thoughts of a formal betrothal sending panic through his system. As a result, Walburga tightened her hold on his shoulders until Sirius felt the pinch of her long fingernails through his robes. Swallowing hard, he nodded his head. "Yes, Mother. You make yourself quite clear," he replied and was relieved when Walburga removed her hands.
"Excellent," she said, smiling falsely. "I would strongly encourage you to retain that cooperative demeanor, Sirius. I have never shied away from administering appropriate punishment for your transgressions and have no inclination to change my position in the matter. What promises you make to me in this room now will be executed thoroughly at dinner this evening. If they are not, you will pay dearly."
"Are we finished here?" Sirius asked as respectfully and quietly as possible.
"Almost," Walburga responded. "I have just one more thing to say to you, Sirius. If you ever put a hand – or wand – upon your brother again, I will exact his revenge for him."
Sirius looked up at his mother, his face registering his surprise. What was she on about? I've never lain a … oh. Sirius recalled his frustrated shove that put Regulus on the ground – arse first – on that infamous Hogsmeade weekend.
"Ah, yes," Walburga smiled coldly. "I see that you have remembered. Finally. See that you recall my words with greater facility in future. Should you fail to do so, the resulting retaliation will not be undone with a simple healing spell, I can assure you." She walked around the desk and sat, hands folded on its surface.
"You may now take your trunk upstairs and shower and dress for dinner. Dress robes, if you please. That's all."
Sirius rose and left the room, taking every ounce of restraint he had left to ensure the door did not slam behind him. With a sinking feeling in his stomach about the evening to come, he levitated his trunk and guided it up the narrow staircase to his room.
XXXXXXXX
"Mother? Are you here?" Kate called as she set her trunk down in the front hall of her home. She glanced in the parlor, only to find the room empty. Kate moved down the hallway, glancing in the library and what had been her father's den when he was alive.
Kate was just about to ascend the staircase to search the bedrooms when her mother appeared at the head of the stairs.
"Kate, welcome home, darling," she called. "I'll be right down."
Well, that sounds normal, Kate thought gratefully as she went back to the living room and fell onto the couch. Wonder how long it will last…
"Kate," came her mother's voice from the doorway. Kate rose to greet her mother and found herself in the middle of a stifling hug from the older woman. Kate drew back after a moment and looked at the woman before her. Felicity Needham Morgan was quite a bit taller than her daughter, pale of complexion with startling green eyes and red hair. As a young girl, growing up in London, she had been possessed of a great – if fragile – beauty, the remnants of which were still visible. She was now given to plumpness as she indulged her love of sweets – and periodically, an overabundance of sherry – to while away her days now that her husband was gone and her daughter was firmly entrenched at Hogwarts.
"It's so nice to have you home, Kate," Felicity said again. "Let me look at you." She took a step back and looked at her daughter. Smiling mischievously, Kate did a small pirouette for her mother, who laughed before inspecting Kate again with a more critical eye.
"You're thinner, I think," Felicity said as she and Kate sat next to each other on the couch.
Kate rolled her eyes. "I fail to see how that could possibly be the case. There is generally enough food to feed all of Britain at each meal!"
Felicity smiled indulgently. "Well, to your mother you look thinner. How are you?"
"I am fine – not thinner. Not. And I love school. The teachers are wonderful – much better than in Salem," Kate enthused.
"Are you making any friends?"
Kate nodded. "Yes, I'm getting to know several students in my year." She hoped her mother wouldn't pursue the line of questioning. She loved her mother dearly, but she was, in Kate's opinion, a bit too enthralled by the connections Kate might be able to make whilst at the prestigious school.
Felicity leaned forward, clasping her chubby hands together on her lap and smiled conspiratorially. "I'm sure these "students" have names, have they not?"
Kate sighed. "Of course they do, but I don't think you'd know them. Really, they're just friends, Mum."
Felicity maintained eye contact with her daughter, although her smile slipped slightly.
"Fine. My best friend is Lily Evans; she's in my dorm. Dorcas Meadows is a friend of ours, as well. How's that?"
Felicity's eyes narrowed a bit. "Two witches? In three months? Kate, you had loads of friends in Salem! I would have thought…."
"Yes, I had loads of friends there, didn't I?" Kate's voice rose a bit. "And not one of them there for me in the end. I don't much fancy another lot of false friends at this school, Mother!"
Felicity clasped her hands more tightly together and Kate was dismayed to notice that her mother's lower lip had begun to tremble a bit. She mentally cursed herself for inadvertently giving her mother an opening for one of her emotional episodes of self-pity.
"Well, Kate," Felicity's voice trembled. "You needn't remind me how difficult life was after your father … died. You were not the only one who suffered betrayal at the hands of those you considered friends. You know very well that I was fairly shunned by the families who had welcomed us so warmly in the beginning. You know the impact it had on my nerves. I just …," she paused, searching in the pocket of her robes and withdrew a lacy handkerchief with which she daubed the corners of her eyes. It did not escape Kate's notice that there were no tears to absorb; this demonstration was entirely for Kate's benefit…and designed to put the spotlight squarely back onto her mother.
Kate was brought out of her thoughts by the small sniffling sounds her mother had begun to make. Dear Merlin, Kate thought. Mum's beginning to show all the signs of a full crying jag. Desperate to avert a long and stressful walk through Felicity's most horrible – and largely embellished – memories of that time, Kate cast around for something that would bring her mother away from her current topic.
"Would you like some tea?" Kate inquired lamely, leaning over and patting her mother's hands. "I'll just go fetch some. You just sit and … well, clear up a bit and I'll be right back."
Her mother nodded and gave Kate a rather trembling smile and the girl quickly rose and made her way through the hallway that led to the kitchens in the back of the house.
"Missy Katie!" the high-pitched and delighted voice greeted Kate as she crossed the threshold into the large kitchen. She turned in the direction of the sound and smiled broadly at the little house elf standing at the stove.
"Goldie!" Kate replied crossing the room and enveloping the older elf in a warm hug. "I'm so happy to see you!"
Goldie wiped her eyes on the handkerchief she pulled from the pocket of her work smock. "Goldie is happy to see Missy Katie! Is you home for long?"
"I'm home for the Christmas holidays, Goldie; a whole month!"
Goldie's oversized ears wagged enthusiastically and the house elf nodded and clapped her hands. "Mistress will be so happy! She is lonely with only Goldie in her house. No one ever comes to visit us. We is all by ourselves now you is gone to witches school!"
Kate chuckled. "Hogwarts is for wizards too, Goldie!"
Goldie nodded. "Yes, Missy. Mistress said that maybe you is finding nice boy wizard from the school."
Kate frowned. Well, it's only to be expected, isn't it? If you can't improve your social standing on your own, have your daughter marry it for you!
"Well, I think I'm a little young for all of that just yet. For now, I thought I might fetch tea for Mother and I."
Goldie suddenly began bustling about the kitchen, urging Kate to return to the living room to visit with her mother while she prepared the tea and brought it to them both. Finally, after her protests failed to convince Goldie that she could easily prepare tea on her own, Kate gave in, kissed the little house elf on the top of her head and retraced her steps to the living room.
Entering, she found her mother seated where she had left her, but her mood seemed to be improved.
"Goldie will bring the tea along shortly," Kate said, resuming her seat. "Now, where were we?"
Felicity's smile was back in place. "You were telling me all about your friends at school," she replied.
Kate refrained from rolling her eyes, happy that the potential histrionics had been averted. Oh, well, she thought. I might as well get this over with.
"Well, there is a group of four boys in Gryffindor whom Lily, Dorcas and I are friendly with," Kate confided, secretly amused to see Felicity's eyebrows rise at the word "boys".
"Well, well," her mother simpered. "And who are these knights of Gryffindor?"
This time, Kate could not stop the roll of her eyes at her mother's choice of phrase. "Really, Mother. They're hardly that! Let's see, there's James Potter…"
"Harold and Jane Potter's son?" Felicity clarified. "Oh, Kate, they're one of Britain's oldest wizarding families. A lovely couple, as I recall. You could do much worse than James Potter."
Kate gritted her teeth, but was given the chance to compose herself as the rattle of porcelain and silver announced Goldie's arrival with the teacart. Once Felicity had poured out and the two women were sipping tea, Kate felt sufficiently recovered to answer her mother without any sharpness of tongue.
"James Potter is not interested in me, Mother," she said. "But we are friends – after a fashion, I suppose. He's very much interested in Lily Evans," Kate smiled in spite of herself.
Enjoying the chance at a good gossip – even if she only vaguely knew the players, Felicity smiled. "And how does Miss Evans feel about this?"
Kate laughed easily. "Well, in the beginning, she just wanted to hex him most of the time. Lately, though, I think she's begun to warm up to him. It's fairly day to day, though."
Felicity shared Kate's laugh. "That's generally the way things are at first. Do you think they will end up together?"
Kate thought for a moment. "Well, none of us is really old enough to make that sort of decision yet, but he certainly seems to have eyes only for Lily – even now. But, will they end up together? I'm not sure." She paused and smiled again. "But I'll say this – I hope so."
Felicity nodded then prompted her daughter to continue. "So, there are three other boys?"
Kate nodded and quickly moved through Peter – about whom there was generally less to say and then Remus. Felicity had heard both family names and did seem to remember something odd being connected with Remus and his family, but she never knew any details. In typical fashion, Felicity cautioned Kate to keep her guard up around Remus – at least until she could perhaps discover the nature of what she referred to as the "Lupin Family secret".
"He's very nice, Mother. Quiet, a really good student – just a very nice wizard," Kate assured her mother. "He's become quite a good friend. I don't think there's anything too terribly mysterious about Remus – unless it's how he can be so patient around James and Sirius! When the two of them start plotting mischief, it's…." Kate paused, noting the sudden pallor of her mother's face. "What is it, Mum? Are you unwell?"
Felicity's hand trembled as she put her cup and saucer on the tea tray. Kate rose and sat next to her mother on the loveseat. "Mother, please! What is it?"
Felicity turned to look at Kate. "'Sirius'? Would that be Sirius Black?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Kate nodded, feeling suddenly chilled. "Yes. Mother, what's wrong?"
Felicity closed her eyes. "How well do you know him, Kate?"
Kate felt her frustration rise. "No. Not until you tell me why you're acting like this; why you're asking these questions!"
Felicity opened her eyes and looked directly at her daughter. "The Black family was one of the reasons your father moved us to the States. Indirectly, that boy's family caused his death!"
