Two weeks had passed since the battle in the theatre. With therapy and a little magic, all of the participants were on track to recover as well as they could.
The House of Black came as they pleased, though they had to be thoroughly checked to ensure that no imposters were getting in. If any of the family members chose to stay overnight, which was very rare, they had an entire wing reserved for them.
After a multicultural buffet for a meal, which was normal for native residents, Regulus II declared that he was ready to perform the rest of the song.
Late at night, when he couldn't sleep, he practised the piano to not become rusty. With how often that was, he confidently led his family, Bruno, and other performers to the music room, where the grand instrument sat in the middle of the room, waiting. Like before, Merida stepped out from the circle. However, this time there were no intrusions.
We're honored to see all the details of your personal snowflake
Bruno smiled brightly. He felt that way about each of the princesses and his family. It was freeing when he could openly enjoy the uniqueness of others without the need for high expectations and stereotypes.
Like Bruno, Sirius loved noticing the nuances of people for the same reason. While the Madrigals matched a box to the person and their gift, the Black Family had been known for the same box to fit their entire family.
Regulus had been more willing to reconnect to the rest of his family than Sirius and was just starting to feel as if he was being accepted as he was. The threat of three different wars had taken its toll on everyone in the family, though it did not excuse the abuse that took place within its dynamics.
Harry glanced at Sirius next to him. As much as he loved the man, Harry was pained every time he was compared to his father. During those times, Sirius acted as if he were his father and not his own.
And every imperfection and perceived mistake
When you're with us, don't be fake
It was true that every family with the station of the Madrigals and Blacks, their reputations mattered as they influenced others in a variety of ways. Thus, it caused its members to have complete control of themselves and were denied the freedom to exPress themselves in the healthiest of ways.
Even if they came from different cultures, one could understand the guilt and shame of not receiving magic, whether that be at the age of five, or from the moment of conception, Marius and Mirabel had faked it when asked if they were alright without magic. It was for the betterment of the family.
Unlike Mirabel, who had decided to stay and be a part of the family, Marius had chosen to keep as little contact with his family until recently when tensions were only, now, starting to lower without the threat of a tyrant looming over their heads.
Only a generation after, in which Marius' niece, Walburga, quietly observed the relaxation of her whole family since there was finally peace in Britain and how everyone communicates better in this kingdom. The reputation was starting to relax, but yet still kept some semblance of tradition. The Tonks Family was well on its way to being integrated into the family. Although Phineas did ignore poor Remus, it bothered him very little however. Maybe, she could start a surface-level relationship with her son, Sirius.
When you're thrust awake
With an excruciating headache
That is constricting as a Cobra snake
All of the Slytherins smiled at the reference to snakes. Not only did they like the reference, they also understood the other meaning. With the amount of stress the family was put through, they wouldn't be surprised if they were to be diagnosed with behavioural and personality disorders if they were to learn about them.
Walburga and Bellatrix may be diagnosed with something similar to Borderline Personality Disorder, Orion may have Bipolar Disorder along with strong alcoholism. However, one of the most common could be depression, due to the lack of 'true' connection in the past.
Oppositely, the Madrigals could be diagnosed with uncontrolled anxiety.
We'll be here for you as long as it takes
Until it shakes
And quakes
Under the love we rake
Upon the heart they're trying to break
Sirius II, Arcturus III's father, gazed at his son with a sympathetic expression. It had deviated the whole family when Melania had perished even if it wasn't displayed by weeping oceans of tears. He was so guilty that not even the best healers could have saved her. He had given the advice to not let himself get hurt from genuine love and that played into the preceding generations, though they never knew that.
It would be like how Walburga pushed her own son away with his differences, her possible diagnosis, and the stress of the war. It's never just one thing. She anguished when he pulled away at the age of fifteen. Yet, the reputation still stood.
Regulus had only wanted his family whole when he was younger. Had it been too naive and too much? Most likely. His dream was slowly being released even if it were decades late.
Bruno felt the echoes of the heartache that his mother went through as he was told that he reminded her of Pedro the most. Camilo and Mirabel had gotten a fair amount of those as well.
We love you too much to care about the stakes
The air shifted when that line was delivered. There lingered a fragile hope and longing to show that they agreed with that statement. Sirius' generation and younger were already sending their loved ones loving looks. The bolder members, Sirius, Harry, Regulus, and Remus, along with the Tonkses added brief hugs.
The ones that were more traditional just looked at one another with small smiles. The traditionalists cringed when the Madrigals hugged Bruno tightly and he responded enthusiastically.
Having seen this before, Sirius and Regulus laughed. It was very amusing for the family to adjust to the different culture.
We'll do anything for your sake
Whether that be to bake your favorite cake
Each person thought of their favourite dessert. Funnily enough, there were no trends or patterns, but they did like the most popular ones whether that be Colombian or English.
Or listen to your stories by a lake
Remus rolled his eyes as he noted the intrigued look in Sirius' eye. With having met Bruno on occasion, sometimes it felt like there were two Sirius', though Bruno was leagues kinder than his friend. The one thing he could do without is their shared love of stories and drama.
Regulus was beginning to enjoy his brother's stories. THey were wild and dramatic. However, his favourite ones had to be the ones he created for the many stars.
Alphard enjoyed indulging the duo with his own stories, wickedly divulging their mother's most embarrassing stories. Surprisingly, Walburga only sprayed them with a powerful Aguamenti when it was particularly embarrassing.
Your happiness is what we want to make
Yeah, you never seem to receive a break
From the people that demand a vision that you make
"In our world, no one can demand prophecies," Polux, Sirius III and Regulus II's maternal grandfather, explained coolly. "The gift is rare and they come as they come, and can't be forced."
Bruno stared at him. "I wish," he said wistfully. "I can call them at will, but I do have involuntary ones too, which sounds like they have normally."
Merida completed her part and produced Pansies for Bruno and Regulus and the other princesses lined up to give them the flowers they had received before.
"What, what?" Draco Malfoy asked. "Cousin Regulus, why?"
"Because it was one of the ways they included me in the beginning," the man explained. "They keep trying to do it to Sirius, but he has refused so far." Phineas' sister, Elladora, sent her great-great-grandnephew an approving look.
A/N: The Weasleys won't be included as they have a totally different family culture from the rest of the Black Family and there are two many of them.
