The black carriage pulled by Thestrals came to a smooth stop at the door of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. The blackout concealed the magical transport's arrival without the need for a Disillusionment Charm. Many wizards were taking advantage of the Muggle government's imposition to move freely with their artifacts. It wouldn't be long before the wizarding ministry needed to intervene in this new habit.
Sirius Black had sent for Rosette and the girls from Brenda Conway's house, as there were no magical means of transportation in the village where they had taken refuge, and he refused to let them return to London by Muggle means.
The twins were amazed by the ride. Although they were born into a family composed only of wizards, their life was modest, and they were not accustomed to using carriages or other privileges of high magical society. Everything was an exciting novelty.
Rosette was relieved that they couldn't see the skeletal and almost draconian horses. Although they were a fascinating sight, they were too eerie for the impressionable minds of two five-year-old girls.
They stepped out of the carriage. The girls practically ran hand in hand to the entrance, knocking on the door almost simultaneously. The house-elf opened it to welcome them, causing both to utter a gasp of astonishment. They had never seen a magical being of that kind before, except in the history books their father used to read to them.
"Good evening," the little elf greeted, making an exaggerated bow. "Master asked other elves to fetch the luggage. Ziggy takes girls to play and lady to dinner."
Rose simply nodded, thanking almost in a murmur. She and the daughters followed him through the sumptuous corridors. The woman remained in complete silence, the girls in a frenzied conversation, feeling like little princesses entering a castle full of secrets.
When they stopped in front of the room designated for them and Ziggy opened the door revealing its interior, not even Rosette could contain her astonishment at such a magnificent sight.
There were dolls of various shapes and sizes, with magnificently detailed period dresses, like miniature princesses frozen in time. Alongside them, several stuffed animals, some larger than the girls. Bears, unicorns, dragons, rabbits. Wooden rocking horses and dollhouses could also be seen, magical trains emitting colorful smoke, tin soldiers marching around elegantly twirling ballerinas. Toy fairies flew around the place. It looked like a scene taken from a fantasy tale.
The girls wasted no time: they ran to the toys, marveling at discovering this little new world full of possibilities.
Realizing that her daughters were too engrossed in all that and that they would have a pleasant evening after all the misfortunes they had endured, Rosette resigned herself to the sacrifice she was about to make.
She followed the elf in silent compliance. He led her to a sumptuous dining room, with a lavish table, a chandelier illuminated by several candles whose flames reflected in the crystals, giving an aristocratic atmosphere to the environment.
At the head of the table was Sirius Black. The man wore a dark suit, with a royal blue tie standing out. He stood up, walking towards the brunette. His hazel eyes sparkled with desire, evaluating the figure of his sister-in-law. Nothing in her appearance indicated that she had prepared herself for him that night: a simple dress, hair tied up in a bun, no makeup; still, he could see her beauty and foresee pleasant moments beneath all that simplicity. Sirius kissed her hand as was customary, according to etiquette.
"Good evening, Rosette," he said, giving her a mischievous smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Black," she replied, somewhat restrained.
"You can call me Sirius, my dear. After tonight, I see no reason for such formality."
Rose nodded slightly. Although all of this had been her choice, forced by external circumstances, she couldn't feel comfortable. The man pulled out the chair for her to sit.
"Thank you, Sirius," she replied, almost mechanically.
He served her a generous glass of Burgundy red wine, while a stuffed partridge appeared on her plate. Rosette sipped the wine and tasted the bird and its accompaniments. She couldn't remember the last time she had tasted such exquisite food.
"While you're with me, you'll always have the best," the man said.
She tried to smile. At least Sirius was trying to make the situation less unpleasant, although it didn't diminish in Rosette's eyes the immorality of what he had proposed to her.
Throughout dinner, he talked... about his business... about family... about his late father... about the children. Rose tried to be polite, answering what she was asked, while losing count of how many glasses of wine she had already drunk.
"Did the girls like the room?" Sirius asked. "I asked the elves to unearth all the toys they could find from the attic. Many of the dolls are Lycoris's, but there are some things from my childhood too. I also asked them to provide a snack for them."
"It was very kind of you," Rose replied, her voice slightly muffled, realizing she was getting drunk. Maybe that would make things less difficult.
Sirius smiled as he took a sip of his drink, thinking to himself that her state would also make things easier for him. It was ironic how much this situation resembled the first night he shared with Hesper. His wife wasn't particularly thrilled about their wedding night either and had drunk too much champagne. They never loved each other nor came to love each other afterward, but they had developed a unique complicity over the years. Perhaps he could achieve something minimally similar with Rosette.
"Tomorrow we'll arrange for you to move to our country house in Cheshire. We can send all the toys along. I believe they'll like it there. They'll be protected from both the bombings and those who are pursuing them. Hesper is waiting for them."
Rose's eyes widened in surprise, almost choking on the piece of apple pie served for dessert.
"Your wife? Does she know?" she asked, amidst a fit of coughing, immediately drinking another sip of wine.
Sirius gave a half-smile.
"We rarely keep secrets from each other, and I need her support for others to accept your presence and that of my nieces in the family. Belvina, in particular, might give us a bit of trouble. My sister has never been very tolerant. Hesper has a special talent for calming her."
Rosette lowered her head, realizing for the first time that the relationships in that family were more complex and thorny than Phineas had let on during all the years they had been together.
"We'll take good care of you," Sirius said, noticing the slight disturbance in the woman. "I promise."
She lowered her head, staring at her plate. She had come this far; she had to see it through. She couldn't bear to once again hold in her arms the cold body of one of her daughters. The feeling that Marguerith might not have awakened from her sleep and that it would become a perpetual rest was the worst feeling she had ever experienced.
"I just ask for a few courtesies from you, if possible," she said, still looking down. "That you respect me in the presence of my daughters and your wife. And that you be kind to me."
Sirius stood up from the table, walking over to Rosette. He gently took her hands, helping her to stand up.
"You have my word. I'll be a gentleman."
He kissed her hands, then her forehead before gently taking her lips. Rose felt completely numb, as if her mind and body at that moment were separate entities, perhaps a result of the alcohol. However, Sirius noticed that she was trembling. He hugged her until she calmed down. When she lifted her face, the man kissed her again, apparating with her to the bedroom.
When Rosette opened her eyes the next morning, she felt empty. There was no turning back; it was a done deal. She had given herself to her husband's brother. Although Sirius had kept his promise and treated her with care and kindness, it didn't lessen her dismay, knowing that Phineas would hate her for the rest of his life, and she couldn't blame him. She hadn't yet found the courage to tell him that she had left him.
Sirius wasn't in the room; from the noise, he was taking a shower. Rose sat on the bed, hugged her knees, and cried. She would probably love Phineas until the end of her existence, but what mattered was the survival of her daughters. She wiped her face with the back of her hands and got up, going to the dressing table. The world wouldn't stop just because she was suffering. She needed to get ready for her new life.