For the Yearly Events Thread [Character Collection] on the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
Charis Crouch née Black (1919 – 1973)
Charis perched at the end of her bed, holding a box of opened letters in her lap. Each envelope was addressed to her in a familiar cursive. Charis traced each line fondly. It had been over seven years since she had last seen her sister in person. Yet not a month had gone by that Charis hadn't received a letter, filled with well wishes and detailed updates of Cedrella's life.
The latest was longer than usual, Cedrella celebrating the birth of her third son. It also included an invitation to meet him. Of course, Cedrella had sent similar letters twice before. But this was the first time that Charis had picked up a quill and penned her acceptance.
And although she had been invited and sent her notice, Charis still felt uncomfortable standing at the front door. She shifted from side to side, waiting for someone to answer her knocking.
"Charis." Septimus' eyes were wide, as if he could hardly believe the sight in front of him. "You came."
"I did." She stood straighter, pushing her shoulders back and chin high. "Is my sister here?"
"Charis!" Cedrella appeared at her husband's side, rocking a small baby in her arms. There were dark circles under her eyes that Charis hadn't seen before. "It's so good to see you. Come in. Meet the boys."
Charis followed her sister into the house. It was a modest space, nothing at all like the Manor the sisters had grown up in. Instead of old ancestral portraits, the walls were covered in children's drawings.
"This is Arthur," Cedrella said, smiling down at the baby. "Arthur, this is your Aunt Charis."
Before Charis could respond, two small boys came running into the room, both clamoring over each other in a desperate attempt to meet the new person first. Dropping onto her knees to wrap them in a hug felt more natural than Charis could have ever imagined. When she looked up, Cedrella was grinning at her.
"You should have come earlier," she said, but there was no bite in her tone. "Much earlier."
"I know."