Recap: Marlene feels responsible for what James did with the duck incident so she convinces Annie Clearwater to sing in the common room since their program got cancelled. Annie Clearwater uses the duck incident to show off her band instead and the Gryffindor Common room goes a little wild when someones mixes Firewhiskey with the butterbeer. Marlene get's drunk and relives a bad memory. Frank Longbottom has a conversation with a very weird girl as he heads back to the common room where he raids the party and saves a rather drink Marlene Mckinnon. James becomes stressed when everyone blames him for his prank and ends up taking his anger out on Lily who lashes out in a bad way. On the train Micheal Duke sees something that terrifies him...to be continued..
Chapter 33: Letters
"-make sure we've got plenty of tea and drinks and maybe Petunia can make some of her amazing caramel melt cookies because Dorcas loves caramel a lot-" Lily looked towards the family room, where her older sister Petunia was sitting on the couch, flipping idly through channels on the telly. "OhTuney!"
Her older sister rolled her eyes and continued flipping through channels on the telly as if she could not hear Lily. It was a Saturday afternoon when nothing of interest came on, at least nothing that would interest her 15 year old sister. Lily sighed, and folded her arms. If this was the way it was going to be...
"Tuney!Tuney!Tuney!Tuney! Tuney!" She sang looking pointedly towards Petunia who had closed her eyes at this point and was trying not to look towards Lily. "Tuney! Tuney! Tuney! Tuney! Tuney! Tuney-"
"Fine."
Lily stopped singing, and grinned. "Really? Oh Tuney this is wonderful! Dorcas is going to love you and-" She turned to her mom "Mary will love the muffins that you make and Marlene-" Lily paused the sudden realization that Marlene McKinnon was coming over to her house dawning on her. She and Marlene weren't on the friendliest terms as friends went but Lily didn't think it right to just invite Dorcas and Mary and not Marlene, as Marlene had so obviously done last year when she had forgotten to invite Lily over to her house. But Lily wasn't going to stoop that low. She had invited Marlene and should Marlene want to come, she was invited.
"Marlene?" Amanda Evans asked looking down at her daughter, her round face filled with concern.
"Marlene." Lily repeated suddenly shifting her eyes left and right before bolting up the stairs into her room. Her room of 13 years hadn't changed, save for the giant bed in the corner that had once upon a time been a crib. The walls were a light pink dusted with the light shimmer of glitter that Lily had thrown on her own, once upon a time, when she was going through her fairy princess phase. The right corner held her small writing desk and a tall bookshelf that held both her muggle and wizarding books. The carpet was a light brown fading to cream and along side the walls she had set two small sleeping bags. One for each Mary and Dorcas. But Marlene- she had forgotten Marlene! She looked towards her small bed that wouldn't be enough, and turned to look around the room hoping to find some way she could squeeze one more person in comfortably.
She couldn't.
Panicked, Lily stomped back down the stairs, bolting right into the kitchen were Petunia was organizing the counter in front of her. Three small bowls, a couple of measuring cups, a box of caramel- Lily looked up to her older sister. "Hey Tuney-you-don't-think-that-maybe-we-could-borrow-your-room-for-a-while-because-I-don't-have-room-in-my room-for-Marlene-McKinnon?"
She said all very fast and was surprised when Petunia looked up. She smiled at Lily, and then at the top of her lungs yelled into the living room. "MUM LILY DIDN'T MAKE SURE SHE HAD ROOM FOR ALL HER FRIENDS TO SLEEP OVER!"
Lily sighed and glared at Petunia, who smirked. Amanda Evans yelled something back and walked into the kitchen, arms on her hips. "Lily, I thought you said you had everything under control!"
"I did! I do. I just need somewhere for Marlene to sleep. My room's not big enough- remember Tuney got the big room."
Petunia rolled her eyes. "You willingly gave me the big room because you wanted the bigger window, Lily. Don't get me started on how long it took me to finally give up that room for you."
Lily sighed. She did want the small room with the giant window, but how was her 5 year old self to know that she would need a bigger room for when she had friends over? "Please Petunia, I promise it's just for the night. We won't even come into your room until we have to sleep. Well Marlene at least, Mary and Dorcas will be in my room-"
"Lily," Amanda Evans berated looking down at her daughter. "You are not sending one of your friends to sleep in Petunia's room all alone."
"But mum," Lily interjected pointing towards her sister who was stirring things now. "She won't be alone. Petunia will be there."
Petunia laughed and continued with her organized counter. She had already started on the caramel mix and was getting out more supplies for the cookie dough. "Will I?"
"Petunia's right." Amanda Evans said. "These are your friends, your should be with them. Besides Petunia's got her date tonight."
Now Lily was surprised. "Date?"
"Mum!" Petunia interrupted loudly. "You said you wouldn't tell!"
Amanda Evans sighed. "I'm sorry Petunia honey, it slipped out." turning to Lily she said. "Alright listen your friends can sleep in Petunia's room, Petunia you'll sleep in Lily's room for the time being."
"Mum!" Petunia protested setting the mixed bowl down.
"You can stay out until 10." Amanda Evans said heavily looking like she would regret saying those very words later.
Petunias's face lit up. "Fine!- I'm going to go get ready and call Steve!" And with that she practically skipped out the kitchen, leaving a excitement in the air. Lily got the room she needed, Petunia got an extra hour for her date and every one was happy.
Lily smiled as she watched her sister smile and hum as she ran up the stairs. The she realized what that meant for her- "What Tuney the caramel-"
"It's fine dear- I got it." Amanda Evans said strolling towards the oven.
"But mum Petunia makes the best ones-" Lily looked at her mother who had comically raised her brows. "I mean-thanks mum. I love you."
The timer went off and when Amanda Evans opened the oven. Lily practically grinned at the smell of the muffins that filled the house. But wait...
"Oh I knew I should have checked the box. So much for my career as being a chef." Amanda Evans sighed looking down at the muffins. Lily turned her nose up at the smell of burned batter and turned to her mom.
"Don't worry Lily, just make sure your friends get here on time. I need to let the smell out..." Amanda Evans sighed and began opening the windows and the doors. Lily sighed. No muffins for Mary then, maybe she would settle for a cupcake instead...
Petunia's shrieking started on the 5th step and and Lily quickly scampered up the steps to find her older sister screaming her head off as she pointed to the owl that was sitting calmly on Lily's desk. Lily grinned at the creature that hooted affectionately towards her.
"Tuney!" Lily tried to calm down her sister who had raised a hairbrush in defense, pointed towards the owl. "It's not going to do anything to you-just calm down."
"LILY!" Petunia screamed pointing towards the owl that had cocked his head looking at Petunia as she screamed her head off. "THERE'S AN OWL-AN OWL IN YOUR BLOODY ROOM- WHAT DO YOU MEAN CALM DOWN?"
"LANGUAGE PETUNIA!" Amanda Evans called from downstairs. "What's going on?"
"Nothing mum!" Lily explained. "Petunia just got frightened."
"Frightened?" Petunia looked at Lily. "We need to get that thing out of here. Dad's got those sprays to ward bugs off that we could use-
"It's for me." Lily explained trying not to laugh. She had forgotten that Petunia didn't know much about the wizarding world, and tended to avoid it as much as she could. "It's how we send letters-"
"Oh." Petunia's voice was cold and emotionless when she spoke. "Okay. I'm going to get ready. Steve's going to be on time and I don't want to be late."
"Tuney-" Lily knew that tone. It was the same one that Petunia used whenever Lily brought up magic. Lily knew her sister thought of her as a freak and hated the fact that Lily was one- freak. She was suddenly reminded of James calling her a freak at the end of last year. It had hurt her so much and she had just forgotten about it, only to be reminded again. Petunia calling her a freak-her own sister calling her a freak was bad enough, but even at school she was suddenly a freak too? Petunia swung her dark hair and walked out of the room quickly.
Sighing Lily turned to the only remaining thing in the room. The tiny owl was a pretty thing with snow white feathers and a regal look to it. Lily rubbed it affectionately before sending it off with a treat. The letter wasn't as regal. It was a small square of parchment that bore her name, but not one of the senders. Curious she opened it up.
Dear Evans,
I'm not really sure why I'm writing this letter to you, but I just wanted to say hi. How are you?
-James Potter
Lily almost screamed. How-how dare he write her a letter? And was it even a letter? He hadn't mentioned a word of apology for calling her a freak and all he had the audactiy to say was hey? Lily would certainly not hey him back and so she promptly crumpled up the parchment and threw it in the trash. And then she was staring out her window where a car was approaching her drive way. A second later the windows rolled down and Dorcas's blond hair was visible. Lily grinned. They were here!
Colton Breckbridge had been in the middle of an intense game of Quidditch when the owl swooped in, causing him to drop the snitch, and inevitably end the game, with the winner being his 10 year old sister.
"I WON!" His sister shouted doing a three sixty and raising the snitch, in surprise. "I BEAT COLTON. DID YA SEE THAT UNCLE WYNN?"
His uncle chuckled and nodded. He was a jolly man with a round potbelly that only came from drinking a good amount of beer over the years. His hair was still a shade lighter than Colton's but not gray enough to match his actual age. "Good job Val, now get down before Colton knocks it right out of your hand."
Colton grumbled watching his sister dance around with his 'snitch' and turned to the dark owl that had perched itself on the white picket fence. Colton frowned, not having recognized the owl. Emma usually sent her snow white owl and Elvis never sent him letters. Unless it was one of his chasers complaining about the diet plan he had sent them he didn't know who would send him an owl at this early in the summer. Curious, he walked towards the owl that didn't fly away immediately; which was most definitely waiting for a response.
With a newfound interest Colton looked down at the letter, even more puzzled than before, because not only was it odd that he had gotten a letter at this time, but the fact that it bore a ministry seal. A thousand scenarios went through Colton's mind but it couldn't be that. That was impossible. Everything had been planned carefully...there could be no way that they would know...
The letter in his suddenly quivered. It was shaking now and Colton blinked quickly before tearing it away. If it was a howler he didn't want anyone to hear what it said. The parchment bore the same ministry seal and with shaking hands Colton straightened it out.
Dear Mr. Breckbridge,
It has come to our attention that you are the current captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well as a close friend of Maya Hillbard, the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Unfortunately Ms. Maya Hillbard is no longer with us. She was found dead on the Hogwarts Express and despite the ongoing investigation, the cause of her murder is still unknown. We have few leads regarding to her death and would request for you to provide a testimony and information that you may have regarding her close friends. We hope that you may have the information that we need and that you will be able to come on any of the following dates below. Have a wonderful rest of the summer!
Please respond with a date and time that fit your availability:
July 13 2:00pm
July 16 2:45 pm
July 18 3:18pm
Stephen Vladimir
Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot
Colton gulped. Maya was dead. Maya was dead. Maya Angus Hillbard was dead.
"What's that you got there Cole?"
Valeria Breckbridge jumped up trying to catch a glimpse of the letter Colton held. "Are you in trouble? Did you fail your classes? You got a T in Arthimancy didn't you? Ha! I told Unlce Wynn you were going to fail-"
"Be quiet, Val." Colton shut his eyes. Maya was dead. Maya was dead. Maya was dead.
"You did fail!" Val grinned. "See you're not perfect after all. If you keep lowering your standards like this I'll be the favorite by Christmas."
"Val, shut up." Colton pushed his sister aside and started walking towards the house. He had to figure out something, make a plan...Maya was dead. Maya was dead.
"Is it a girl?" Val called after him when he didn't reply to whatever silly question he had asked. "Holy Morgana Colton's got a girlfriend oooooohhh! Uncle Wynn Cole's got a girlfriend-ow hey COLE!"
Colton turned around quickly when he heard a loud crack emanate into the air. He turned just as his sister screamed alarmed by the two new visitors that had apparated into the Breckbridge lawn. Uncle Wynn looked up curiously from his copy of the Daily Prophet. "Friends of yours Cole?"
Colton nodded quickly making his way towards Emma and Elvis who looked around wildly before spotting him. Emma gave him a small smile. Elvis was clutching his stomach and leaned down to puke. Emma quickly let go of his hand.
"I'm never apparating again." Elvis muttered before puking once more.
"Good to know." Valeria nodded skipping up to Emma and turning her nose at Elvis. "Are you Cole's girlfriend?"
Emma rose her brow. "Is that what he said?"
Valeria smirked. "Maybe. It depends on what you say first."
"Val, go away." Colton rolled his eyes and his sister sighed and flopped away to his uncle. "Uncle Wynn Cole is being mean!"
Colton looked towards the Slytherin and Ravenclaw captains that stood on his lawn. Elvis had finally recovered from his 'post apparation' sickness and was looking nervously between both the captains.
"We need to talk about Maya." Emma spoke boldly. "And which one of us is next."
Petunia could hear laughter coming from her room next door and roll her eyes. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. She kept repeating the phrase in her head like a mantra but the laughs were too loud and she found herself throwing her hairbrush at the wall. It left a small mark, but Petunia didn't care. This was Lily's room, she could deal with it when her friends left. She turned back to look at her reflection in Lily's tiny mirror and sighed. Nothing was happening the way she wanted it too. She had imagined the whole day in her head. Dean would ask her out, her mom and Lily would help her get ready for her date and then she and Dean would go on a romantic date at Biscotti's and... instead Amanda Evans was playing hostess to Lily and her friends, and while Lily had all the fun, Petunia was ultimately sour and alone.
Petunia stood up angry and stopped outside her room door, peeking into the small amount Lily had left open. No doubt it was to infuriate her. She was Lily, perfect, adored by everyone, moms little angel, who went to a freak school- and Petunia had so hoped that maybe because of that she- she would finally get some attention. But no. Lily became, if possible, more adored, more loved, and like before Petunia was shoved aside.
The four girls were whispering and laughing amongst themselves and that infuriated Petunia more. A tray of tea, muffins, and her caramel melt cookies sat in the middle of the room. Petunia felt a pang of jealousy, no one had offered her any and hadn't her mum said that those muffins were only to be used for special guests? Petunia clearly remembered her mum telling her she couldn't serve them when her best friend Elena had come over, but now all of a sudden it was okay because Lily's friends were over? The dark haired girl on the bed was moving her hands as she spoke, causing the rest of the girls to laugh. Petunia hadn't met her, but instantly disliked her. She reminded Petunia of Veronica Coleman, funny, charming, popular, all in one piece. The type of girl that Petunia wished was her friend. The blond next to Lily, Petunia recognized. The vampire. Petunia secretly wondered if she had brought some blood along with her. The last blonde, except her blond hair fell in perfect waves unlike the others whose hair was straight, was sitting the farthest from the group, looking bored as she stared at her nails. Petunia wondered why this was the case when the blonde suddenly got up and started making her way to the door.
Petunia immediately ran back and pretended to brush her hair as the blond walked by. And then she stopped and looked in. Petunia pretended not to notice.
"Um," the blond spoke, her blue eyes twinkling, "Could you point me to the loo please?"
Petunia looked up and nodded. "First door on the left."
The blond nodded. "Thanks."
It was only after she left that Petunia wondered why she hadn't asked Lily. But Petunia didn't have time to wonder about that, she had barely 30 minutes before Dean would arrive and she wasn't ready! Her dark hair was lank and limp, unlike Lily's vibrant red mane. Her eyes were dark as well while Lily's were a bright green...it was hopeless. Lily was very obviously the pretty one, even with her freckles, she out-shined Petunia.
"Are you getting ready for a date?"
Petunia turned to see the blonde leaning against the doorway, smiling at her curiously.
"Yeah." Petunia said clearly aware that although this girl appeared normal, she was a freak like Lily. "I think I'm ready, actually."
"Like that?" The girl asked, incredulously.
It would be very wrong to say that Petunia was not offended by her tone. "Yes. What are you trying to say?"
The blond shook her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just- do you mind if I try something on you?"
Petunia's eyes widened. Try something on her? Had she brought a wand like Lily?
"No." Petunia said shaking her head. "I won't let you- don't bring that thing near me!"
The blond's blue eye's widened. "Oh no. I meant do you think I could try some curls or something on your hair-"
"With a wand?"
"No." the girl said, raising her brow. "I usually use a brush or a curler."
Petunia smirked. "Oh sure. Look I barely have 20 minutes-"
To her surprise the girl grinned and walked in. She took a good look at Petunia's makeup and nodded. "I like the colors you've got here, but the blue might be a bit too much with your dress being that color. By the way, excellent dress. I love the flair at the end."
Petunia barely got a word out as the girl immediately started working on her. "Hey-"
"You know what we could do instead of curls actually, just blow dry your hair. I wish I had dark hair, it's so more regal looking than blond." the girl rolled her eyes. "I'm always telling Mary the same thing too but she really want's blond hair. Can you believe it?"
And then she started working on Petunia's hair. Petunia stood up abruptly. "Aren't you supposed to be with Lily?"
The blond paused. "Lily and I- we don't really get along. I don't know why she invited me."
"She was trying to be nice." Petunia said, she knew Lily well enough to know that. "Lily's always trying to be the better person like that."
The girl nodded. "I just- do you mind if I stay here with you? Before you have to go, of course?"
Petunia blinked as she caught her reflection in her mirror. Was that her? She almost looked...pretty?
"Do you like it?" the girl asked, "Personally I think your eyes pop out more with that color and for lipgloss I've got this color that would be perfect."
She reached into a little bag, similar to one that Petunia liked to carry and pulled out a tube of lipgloss. "If you want."
"I guess it couldn't hurt to try?" Petunia decided finally. "I'm Petunia."
"Marlene." She grinned grabbing a large barrel brush for Petunia's hair. "Now tell me how is this date of yours?"
"He's absolutely wonderful," Petunia started, smiling as Marlene brushed her hair. Something Lily had never done for her. "But he's got this awful friend..."
"Cameot Smeltonia."
He sighed as he stepped onto the neat green lawn filled with an ensemble of parents, teachers, and Smelting students. The official open house was in session and it was Vernon's job to make sure everything went considerably smooth. He had been waiting weeks for this day to come. His chance to don the Smeltings uniform once more before school was officially back in session in just about two months. He had his mother iron his trousers and tie, while his father polished his walking stick(One was never a Smeltings students if they didn't carry the stick.)
A little boy about 12 approached him cautiously and inquired about the stick. Vernon gave him the most polite answer before pointing the boy in the direction of the teachers stand. It was a wonderful morning. The sun was shining, he was at Smeltings, he would be going on to Oxford (Junior year was quickly approaching and Vernon had already started his college applications.) His father had already gotten him a internship at Grunnings and Vernon had everything planned until the dime.
"Vernon."
The boy speaking like Vernon was donning the Smeltings uniform, although he looked considerably more polished than Vernon with his 6' 2" tall frame. Steve Donaldson. Vernon liked to think that Steve was talking to him to comment on how proud he was to have known and met Vernon and how glad he was that they were friends. His two buddies, Freddy Walker and William Hanaley stood near him engaged in a cane battle. (An excellent pastie for those that attended Smeltings.) It would be nice if that were the reason that Steve Donaldson approached Vernon.
"I need your car."
But Vernon knew that was never a reason to approach him. Vernon Dursley was only 16 but he already had car and maybe that was one of the reasons Steve Donaldson was friends with him/ Steve was popular, well-liked, handsome; all three traits about him that Vernon envied. He wasn't exactly popular, he was lucky if a girl even spoke to him, and despite being on the rugby team he had yet to make it to the finals-once. He wasn't exactly popular but thanks to Steve he was up there, or as close as he was to being in the popular crowd. High school was funny that way. It didn't matter how smart you were or who your parents were, you were either in the elite group or you were just a background actor for those 4 years. But despite all that Vernon Dursley was a proud Smelthing student.
"What for?" Vernon asked, his eyes narrowed. Steve was an alright guy but Freddy and William were something to beware off. Last week they had vandalized the schools Science center and had been pardoned with only a few after school detentions. Vernon was smart enough to not be 'associated' with their kind.
"I've got a date with a girl at National Prep." Steve winked. "So what do you say?"
Vernon sighed and pointed to Freddy and William with his cane. "Will they be there?"
Steve looked behind him where the two boys were still engaged in a cane battle. "Nah, they've got something to do afterschool."
Vernon had a fairly good idea of what that was.
"Alright." Vernon nodded. "When?"
"As soon as this ends." Steve said running a hand through his hair. "I'll meet you by your car. Thanks Vern."
So at exactly 5:30 pm Vernon found himself walking to his own car where Steve and his two lackeys were sitting on the hood waiting for him. Both Freddy and William were smoking. Vernon's brows furrowed together as he thought about what they could possibly have done to harm his car in the short period of time that they were there. When he reached the car he noticed that Steve had already changed out of his uniform, instead wearing a nice shirt and a pair of slacks. The boy broke into a grin as he spotted Vernon. he muttered something to his friends who nodded and crushed their smoked underneath their feet before walking away.
Vernon coughed, the stench of smoke filling his lungs. Curse those brats.
"Vernon hurry, I promised her I wouldn't be late." Steve shouted as he sat in passenger seat and shut the door behind him with a large bang. Vernon sighed. "Steve I told you be gentle with the car. It's not going to be there one day and you'll wish you treated it better."
"Right, right." Steve nodded looking straight ahead. "Now, can we please go? Petunia's waiting for me."
"Petunia?"
"The girl from National's."
"That's a very fine school," Vernon said trying to make conversation. "For girls of course. Not that it's any match for Smeltings."
"Of course." Steve nodded. "Smeltings is very good. Oh- It's this one."
It's this one." Steve shouted as Vernon halted abruptly in front of the little neat house. In one look he had already deduced a few things. The perfect manicured lawn, perfect flowers, perfect white picket fence meant that behind those close doors was waiting the most perfect date.
"Well off you go-I've got to get back and finish my reading on-Steve?" Vernon started, pausing to look at his friend who was shaking his head and looking at his hair, eyes filled with concern.
Steve was hyperventilating. "I can't go in like this! Vernon my hair-"
"Your hair?" Vernon asked incredulously. Steve Donaldson had dark brown luscious hair that had been gelled up to perfection, it put Vernons' moppy brown mane to shame.
"You've got to go and get her- escort her into the car, I'll surprise her and jump out with the roses-where are the roses, oh bloody hell. Okay I'm going to run and get roses real quick," Steve jumped out the car and began fumbling for his wallet. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Just stall her for a little bit will you Vern!"
And so at 6:10pm Vernon Dursley was taking very heavy steps towards the perfect house where behind the door, the perfect girl was waiting for Steve. Boy was she in a for a surprise. Steve hadn't shut up the entire day about the perfect date he had planned. From the roses to the reservation at Biscotti's to the little necklace he had bought her.
Vernon wiped his sweat away with a handkerchief and put it back into his pocket. He reached out to touch the doorbell, but before he could press down on the small button, the door opened and a blond princess stepped out. "Oh you must be Steve-give us a sec."
She shut the door before Vernon could blink. He heard a scream and few laughs and then the door opened once again. Vernon was ready. "I'm not Ste-" he started brazenly only to falter when the girl replied.
"You're not Steve."
This girl was different. Her dark hair cascaded down to her shoulders in waves, and she wore a blue dress that flared at the ends, complete with soft ballet flats. It was a simple classy look- something that so many girls lacked nowadays. Her eyes were large and alluring and they looked at him with clear distaste when she asked. "Where's Steve?"
"He's in the car-" Vernon started disgusted by her attitude. It was true what people said not to go simply by looks. This girl was definitely the definition of it as she walked away towards his car, completely ignoring him. Steve was running up to her breathlessly, a proud bouquet of roses in his hand. She smiled and gave Steve a hug, while Steve gave Vernon the signal to hand over the car keys. Vernon sighed and fumbled for his keys-
"You dropped these."
The girl from before held his keys. She smiled, her startling blue eyes glowing in the little light by the porch. "I'm sorry I thought you were Steve for a second."
"It's-it's okay." Vernon said blinking up at her, thankful that the dark had covered the light fluster on his cheeks.
"Vernon," Steve tapped him on the shoulder. "give me the keys. Petunia's already in the car!"
"Right." Vernon handed him the keys. "There you are mate."
"Thanks man." Steve grinned. "I'll drop it off by 10:30. You've got a place to go right?"
Vernon nodded. He, of course, did not. He was simply going to have to walk all the way back home, or perhaps wait in a coffee shop for Steve's date to end. The sky rumbled and Vernon felt a wet drop of rain hit his forehead.
Well, wasn't this a charming way to start the night? He looked back at the blonde who was grinning and waving by the open door as Steve and his date drove off into the night. Then again maybe it wasn't.
Imagine a large dining room where the chandelier was the sole eye-catching centerpiece of the room. It was as large as two round tables put together, a combination of crystal and twinkling amytheyst, and lay directly above a enormous walnut carved table. Now imagine there were a total of 8 people sitting on the table. At the head table sat Orion Black, a dark haired sturdy man whose face was relatively handsome albeit the graying hair and wrinkles that now adorned his face. To his right lay a fair woman with blonde hair tinged with silver, that despite the oddity made her look quite beautiful, by the name of Walburga Black. On the left most, next to Orion sat Sirius Black, a dark haired handsome young man whose grey eyes that usually held a sparkle were now dull like his fathers. Regulus Black sat right next to Sirius, his brown eyes looking down at his plate as he tried to block out the jabbing sound that Sirius continued to make( he was jabbing his fork into his steak quite vigorously despite Regulus's whispers to leave it alone.)
Across Regulus Black was the slender form of Narcissa Black, her blonde hair was braided on the side, her soft gray eyes surveying the room as she quietly ate her dinner. To her right, across Sirius, sat Bellatrix Black. She was giggling quietly, as she pushed a strand of curly dark hair behind her ear before closing her mouth to chew. Their parents sat in the same fashion as Walburga and Orion at the far end of the table. Druella Lestrange nee Black, had dark hair much like her eldest daughter, though the same soft features as Narcissa. Cygnus Black resembled neither resembling his noticeably absent middle daughter.
Regulus had kept his fingers crossed that Andromeda would show up this year, but like last year she hadn't. Andromeda was Sirius's favorite cousin while Regulus favored Narcissa. Bellatrix however never seemed to mingle much with them, except to poke fun at Sirius or coo at Regulus like he was still five.
Regulus Black could hear another jab that Sirius made to his steak once again. The scraping of his knife was ten fold in the quite well lit dining hall and Regulus once again tugged Sirius's robe to warn him that their mothers was looking.
"Sirius-"
"Shut up, Reg." Sirius whispered back shifting back and forth until Regulus moved his hand away.
"Fine." Regulus muttered darkly. "See if I care."
Across the table Narcissa and Bellatrix back were having the same argument.
"Trix stop giggling- you're acting like a child." Narcissa chided to her older sister. "Aunt Walburga keeps looking towards you."
"She is looking at us. All of us." Bellatrix responded all while looking like she was concentrating on her dinner. "And you know why."
"Mum said to keep quiet about it. Nothing needs to be said about it." Narcissa said swiftly, holding a napkin to her face daintly. She turned to Regulus's mother and spoke sweetly. "The steak is delicious, Walburga."
"Thank you Narcissa dear." Walburga Black smiled. "Tell me how are your studies?"
"They're going well." Narcissa replied quickly averting her eyes away from her mother who spoke rather hastily. "Narcissa is due to graduate next year and we've already started looking at potential alliances."
"Well Druella," Walburga Black began smiling. "I would certainly hope so. We can't have all daughters going the same way, can we?"
Regulus looked up curiously now. What did that mean? Did it have something to do with Andromeda? Even Sirius had paused in his jabbing to look up. Druella Black looked absolutely livid, but she smiled nonetheless. "With Bellatrix's wedding next week, we're thinking of Abraxas's boy, Lucius. He's of age, finishing up his last year, and they've known each other for a while, haven't you Narcissa?"
Narcissa nodded, looking at her mother, and then back at her food. Regulus did not miss the sigh of relief she took and the strained look she sent towards her older sister.
"Malfoys," Walburga Black started setting down her fork. "Quite an excellent choice. Although I must assume it's your choice right? We can't say the same for your daughters especially after poor Andr-"
Druella Black spoke in a strained voice as she looked straight into Walburga's eyes. "It was Narcissa's choice as well. Right Narcissa?"
Again all eyes turned to the blond who nodded once more. "Yes, Mother."
"I didn't mean it like that Druella, perhaps it is time to bring out the dessert? Kreacher!"
A house-elf instantly appeared next to Walburga and bowed deeply. Regulus pretended not to look at the house-elf because if mother found out his fondness for the house-elf she would most certainly get rid of it. "Yes, Mistress."
"The dessert, please." Walburga said evenly. "Now!"
"Yes, Mistress."
"I do hope you enjoy it." Walburga smiled as the dessert appeared on the table in an instant. Custard with strawberries. Andromeda's favorite. Sirius stiffened but Regulus didn't know why until his mother continued. "Oh dear wasn't this Andromeda's favorite? It's a pity she's not here..."
Druella Black stood up haughtily. "We do not talk about her! She is no daughter of mine. After what she did- I can't-" Druella Black shook her head and sat back down, hyperventilating.
Bellatrix Black stood up now. "Why don't you just say it mother? Everybody knows that Andromeda ran off with that muggle and now she's going to have that filthy child with him-"
"Trix!" Narcissa whispered pulling her sister down and trying to handle the situation as smoothly as she could. "Please, not now. Not here-"
"No Cissy." Bellatrix pushed her sister's hand away. "It's about time mother realizes that it's true. She's gone. Andromeda's gone, Mum. She ran of with that Ted boy. She's never coming back and it would be wonderful if you were to accept it and move ON for once!"
With that Bellatrix Lestrange stood up, pushed back her chair, excused herself from the table before storming away.
"Well shall we start then?" Walburga smiled passing around the dessert looking positively excited at the energy in her dining room. Regulus blinked and looked towards his brother who was staring down at his bowl so hard, that Regulus was afraid it might break.
"The custard looks delicious, mum." Regulus said quickly trying to diffuse the tension around the table. He was actually dying to share the news and now was the perfect moment. " I joined the Slytherin Quidditch team, you know. I'll start playing seeker this year. And maybe in a few years I'll be playing on the National Team! Eddie Glasbow just joined and it's been brilliant ever since! They haven't lost one match yet!"
"That's wonderful Reg-" Narcissa started beaming as she looked towards him causing him to blush
"Bah Quidditch." Orion Black spoke for the first time that evening. "Quidditch does nothing. It's useless. Now family, Reg. Family is what binds us Blacks."
Regulus nodded biting back the sting her felt. He thought his father would have been proud to say the least, but it was nothing to them. He would have to try harder now. Sirius wasn't on the team, he wasn't even in Slytherin, but even then nothing Regulus did was good enough. Nothing at all.
"Don't you ever shut up about Quidditch, Reg?" Sirius asked covertly.
Regulus rolled his eyes, kicking Sirius's leg underneath the table. "You're just jealous you didn't make the team."
"No," Sirius mocked. "I didn't think I would make the Slytherin team either."
"Oh sod off. You know what I mean."
"No I don't."
Regulus sighed and stared as Sirius passed another bowl of custard to him(he had already avoided the first two bowls). He never liked the dessert but his mother had taught him to never refuse the food someone put in front of him and so reluctantly he took a spoon a dug in. As for the conversation with Sirius, that was over. Knowing Sirius the chain of 'you do.' and 'no I don't.' would never end.
"The custard is just divine, Walburga." Narcissa said suddenly looking towards Regulus with sympathy. "You must give me the recipe."
"Of course dear." Walburga said, smiling. The doorbell rang gathering the attention of everyone in the room. Kreacher immediately disappeared and returned back with three new guests. All three men were tall, two dark haired, although one was considerable shorter than the other, while the last man was a blond who Regulus recognized. Lucius Malfoy.
"You must excuse us for arriving so late." The taller of the two dark haired men spoke. "We were tied up." Turning to the women in the room he bowed. "Walburga, Druella you both look as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you Rodolphus." Druella smiled. "My, how you flatter us old women."
"Old!" The younger spoke, a face that Regulus also recognized, as Rabastan Lestrange. "I can hardly believe that, you both look so young. Why I would marry you both in an instant, although I'm sure both my uncles would kill me."
At this both Cygnus and Orion laughed and stood up. "Shall we retire to the sitting room then? We have much to discuss after all with the wedding next week."
"Of course." Lucius Malfoy spoke looking towards Narcissa who was trying very hard not to look up. "Again we apologize for arriving late. I'm sure the dinner was wonderful."
"Do take some back home, will you?" Walburga Black smiled as Lucius Malfoy promised her he would. Rodolphus paused and asked about his wife while Narcissa told him she was upstairs getting ready to which he said he would meet up with her later, before strolling back into the siting room with the other men.
"That Malfoy boy is absolutely perfect for Narcissa." Walburga commented after the men left. "I don't think his eyes left Narcissa's for one moment."
Narcissa blushed and looked down. Walburga and Druella smiled at each other, their recent feud completely forgotten. "Oh dear I've got the perfect dress for your wedding too..."
"My dear, Walburga, Narcissa is yet to graduate."
"Of course, of course, but it's never too young to start planning. Besides I've only got two sons and they won't be wearing dresses to their weddings..."
"I'll wear a dress if you want mum." Sirius piped up.
Regulus tried to hide his snicker, while his mother turned to Sirius sternly. "You've got something on your chin, Sirius. Wash it right away and then get to bed both of you."
Regulus jumped off his chair quickly. "Yes mum."
Sirius said nothing and took his sweet time to listen as the three women walked away chattering like old friends. Kreacher immediately appeared to clear away the dishes and Regulus made sure no one was around before he approached the elf. "Kreacher."
"Young master Black."
"Did you get it?"
"I did, young master Black." Kreacher bowed and handed Regulus the small tarts that his mother had said he was not allowed to have.
"Thank you." Regulus whispered. His mother had said that house-elves were not human, and did not deserve to be talked to but somehow Regulus find it hard to do that with Kreacher. And like always, Kreacher never responded with anything but. "Young master Black."
Regulus stuffed the tart in his robes and walked away before anyone could notice a thing. He paused only when he noticed Sirius standing in the dark hallway that led to the stairs. On close inspection Regulus noticed that his older brother was looking at something, that something being the Black family tree. It was drab tree that was of no interest to Regulus. He barely glanced at it as he walked by and so he was curious as to why Sirius was even looking at it.
"What's so interesting about it?" Regulus huffed, offended that Sirius didn't notice he was standing right there.
"You tell me." Sirius said cryptically. Regulus muttered something about how it would be so much easier if Sirius were to tell him but he turned to inspect the tree.
There were little branches connection all the members of the Black family tree. Regulus started at his mums name that was connected to his dad and below them were his own name along with Sirius. There was nothing new about that so he turned to the little branch that connected his dad's name, Orion Black to aunt Druella. Her branch was again connected to Uncle Cygnus's branch. Below them were his cousins. The little branch that connected his cousin Narcissa to his cousin Bellatrix was there but her little branch was now connected to...dark mark. Regulus tilted his head, curiously, and he stepped back inspecting the entire tree once again.
"Andromeda's missing."
"No she's not you prat."
"Hey that's not fair." Regulus huffed. "I never call you a prat. You always call me a prat."
"You can call me a prat if you want."
"It's not the same as you calling me a prat."
"Then just stick with Sirius."
"Where's Andromeda?" Regulus asked curiously fingering the tapastrey. "I can't find her."
Sirius sighed. "Of course you don't. Mother burned her off."
"Burned her off...the family tree?" Regulus asked. "Because she's-" his eyes grew wide. "Oh no. She's gone, isn't she? Bellatrix was saying she was gone! Why didn't we go to the funeral Sirius- I know she was your favorite and-"
"She's not dead,Reg."
Regulus blinked. "Then where is she? Why did mum burn her off?"
"Because she married a muggle." Sirius said quietly.
Regulus knew what a muggle was. He knew the other term that his mother and father usually used for it too, mudblood. He knew they were un-fit to be wizards and that to talk to one or to be with one was wrong. So when he realized that Andromeda had been with a muggle he understood. Andromeda had made a big mistake. She had done exactly what she wasn't supposed too. Mum and dad always warned Regulus what happened to those that associate with muggles and he had been wary of them ever since.
"Oh." Regulus said understanding, "So she's in trouble for being with a mudblood."
Sirius looked at Regulus. "Not Mudblood Reg-muggle."
"It's the same thing." Regulus said.
"No it's not."
"Yes, it is." Regulus tried to explain to his older brother. Sometimes Sirius had to be corrected. "They both mean the same thing-"
His older brother suddenly took his by the shoulders and shook him. "Reg, don't you ever think that mum and dad are wrong about some stuff-"
Regulus's eyes widened with confusion. His brother got beat up a lot when he said stuff like that and Regulus hated it. He hated when his father took out the belt to whip Sirius and he hated hearing Sirius scream but he couldn't do anything but wait until it was over- or warn Sirius now.
"Sirius-" Regulus started to warn his older brother before his father or anyone who could tell him would appear.
Sirius sighed and let go of his shoulders. "Forget it, Reg. Good night."
Regulus sighed in relief that Sirius had stopped talking with that mouth of his that always got him in trouble and replied. "Good night, Sirius."