A/N: Welcome! I have a few notes before we begin. This fanfic will take place during the marauders' era and will span about 10 years. There will be multiple time skips, and I will indicate the larger ones. Some of the characters will occasionally speak French. I will write the dialogue in English but put it in italics to to indicate it is French (unless the French is immediately translated for storytelling purposes). That is all for now. I hope you enjoy the first chapter!
"I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again"
- "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor
Chapter 1
December 1972
Alice Darbonne loved to run. It made her feel light and free. She ran all the way from her house to the nearby park. She ran by the river Seine amongst the trees and away from the people. She loved the river, the way it twisted and turned. It also reminded her of freedom. She knew that, if she followed it from her town of Le Pecq, she would eventually reach Paris. She loved Paris.
The 11-year-old stopped when she saw the large tree. It was the one with the branch that extended over the river, almost close enough to touch. Alice could not resist the call of adventure. She looked around quickly to make sure no one was around. Then she began to climb the tree.
She climbed all the way to the special branch, which creaked as soon as she stepped onto it. She hesitated before getting on her belly and hooking her arms and legs around the branch. Then she slowly shimmied along the branch until she reached the edge. Her heart races as she saw the water right below her. She carefully reached out her hand to touch it.
"What are you doing?" a voice called in French from the shore. "Alice! Get back here!"
Alice did not dare look back at her older sister. She did not want to risk falling into the river. Instead, she called back to her. "No way! I'm fine!"
Alice heard a frustrated sigh followed by the sound of scrambling. Then she heard her sister's voice much closer to her. "Come on, Alice. This isn't funny. You could get hurt."
"Mind your own business, Inaya."
"Why are you going this?" Her voice was calm and patient, and it eased some of Alice's tension.
"I want to be close to the water. I like the feeling of hovering over it."
"But you could fall in."
"I'm not scared. I can handle it. Besides, I want to be brave like mum and dad."
Inaya let out a heavy sigh. "Being reckless does not make you brave. Besides, mum and dad are brave for a cause. Who are you doing this for?"
Alice bit her lip, feeling a twinge of guilt. "Myself, I guess... But I don't know how to do it the way mum and dad do it. I can't be like them."
Inaya's tone softened as she spoke again. "You're right. You can't be like them. You can only be like yourself. You have to be brave in your own way, Alice. I believe your strength comes from your kindness."
Alice scoffed at that. "You mean like mum? She uses her kindness to get past people's defenses so she can expose them. I don't know if I'm capable of that."
"Perhaps not, but you'll find your own use for your kindness. You could use it in pursuit of the questions you ask that no one ever considers."
"My questions..." Alice let out a sigh. "No one cares about my questions. 'We're in a war' and 'that's not how things work' is what they always say. My questions just get in the way."
"Well, I think they're important. I think it's brave of you to want to help those others have given up on. Kindness in the face of condemnation is admirable. If you want to be brave, you must do what you believe is right regardless of what others say, even those on your side. Does that make sense?"
Alice slowly calmed down as she took in her sister's words. Inaya was the only person who cared about her questions. She was her closest friend. They should not be already. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Then will you please come back from that branch?"
Alice hesitated before finally relenting. "Alright." She tried to shimmy backwards but quickly realized that would not work. Her eyes widened as panic began to set in. "Inaya! I think I'm stuck."
Inaya responded to her in a calm voice. "It's alright, Alice. Can you stand up?"
Alice attempted to withdraw her arms from the branch so she could stand up, but she felt herself slipping. "No!"
"Okay, then hold on. I'm coming to get you."
Alice swallowed hard, her whole body tense with fear. Why had she climbed all the way out here? Her sister had told her multiple times it was dangerous. She shut her eyes tightly. "O-Okay."
"Just stay still, Alice. It'll be fine."
Alice flinched when she heard the sound of a cracking branch. Her heart started to pound out of her chest. "It's going to break!"
"No, it's not." Inaya sounded very close now. "Alice, I need you to give me your hand."
Alice still did not want to open her eyes. "I can't!"
"Yes, you can. You wanted to be brave, right? This is your chance. Stretch out your arm, and I will save you. Trust me."
Alice took in a deep breath. She knew her sister was right. She had to do this. So, she slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to look back at Inaya, who was standing next to her on the branch that was still creaking. Then she stuck out her arm. Her sister grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Alice stared at her with wide eyes. "What now?"
Inaya stared into her eyes with something Alice did not recognize. "Now you're going back." She placed her hands on her waist, picked her up, turned around, and placed her as far along the branch as possible.
Alice felt the branch sway, and her eyes went wide. "Inaya!"
"It will be alright. I'll be right behind you. Go on."
Alice took a deep breath and started walking slowly across the branch, the wood creaking the entire way. She felt a wave of relief when she reached the trunk of the tree. "I made it!"
Inaya gave her a smile. "Now climb down."
"But-"
"Just do it so I have somewhere to go!"
"O-Okay." Alice gripped the tree trunk. Then she climbed down the way she climbed up. She immediately look up at the tree branch anxiously. "I'm down!"
"Alright, I'm coming." Inaya took a step towards the trunk, and the branch creaked.
Alice's eyes grew wide. "Inaya!" For the first time, she saw fear in her sister's eyes.
"It's okay. I am going to jump." Inaya crouched down to do just that. Before she could make the leap, however, the branch cracked, and she lost her balance, falling into the river.
Alice let out a loud gasp. "INAYA!" She immediately raced to the shore. She could see her sister's arm sticking out of the water as she was carried downstream. She pulled out her wand but instantly froze. She had no idea which spell to use. She was only a first year. And now Inaya was getting away!
Alice ran along the riverbank, watching her sister. Her mind raced as she tried to find a way to save her. Then, suddenly, she no longer saw her hand. She stared in horror as her sister and best friend was swallowed by the water, and she could do nothing about it. The river was no longer her friend. The water had betrayed her.
August 1972
Alice ran through the trees. She avoided the river this time. She could not face the water anymore. Not after what it had taken from her. She knew she had to leave home soon, but she wanted to get in one last one. At least the trees had not betrayed her.
Finally, Alice turned around to head back home so she could leave with her parents for London. She had not been doing well at Beauxbatons' since her sister's death. Her friends treated her differently. Their pity did not help. They would either not leave her alone or not stay. Her studies had suffered. Most of her memories of the school were tainted by Inaya. She had spent a lot of time following her sister around. Now she could hardly stand to go anywhere at that place.
Her parents thought it would be best for her to transfer schools, and Alice agreed. Fortunately, they were able to arrange a transfer with both headmasters. Now Alice and her parents were headed to London for a week to obtain school supplies and help inoculate her in UK culture. Of course, her parents chose the opportunity to also get in some work.
Alice entered the bakery her parents owned, which was closed for the morning. The suitcases were already spread out on the floor. "There you are, Alice," her father, Theo Darbonne, said sharply. "I almost thought you wouldn't make it."
"Aren't you excited to visit London?" said her mother, Mirielle Darbonne. "The family we're visiting has two boys about your age."
"Maybe you'll find your match," Uncle Jules said lightheartedly. He was the one watching the shop while Alice's parents were away. "The Blacks are a good pure-blood family."
I shrugged noncommittally. "Maybe." My parents are so good at what they do that even their own families don't know they reject their pure-blood supremacy ideology. Of course, she cannot rule out the possibility that she could meet her soulmate - or even a good friend - during one of these meetings. That is how her parents met. They resented the arranged marriages their families tried to create, but they happened to fall in love with each other. They did not fully reject their family's philosophy, though, until they saw the results of it when the war started.
"It's time to go," said Mirielle. "We will see you soon, Jules. Thank you for everything."
"No problem," said Jules, waving as the family left the shop. "Good luck."
The trip to England turned out to be uneventful. Alice's parents reminded her of her role in this mission, which she knew already. Her parents worked for the French resistance against Voldemort. They infiltrated pure-blood households to find those secretly supporting him. It was Alice's job to speak to the children.
Alice was decent in her role. She had the kindness of her mother and her blue eyes, and she had the perception of her father along with his light brown hair. She was not quite sure where she got her wavy hair or her incessant questions. She liked to question anything and everything. She had lots of questions about the pure-blood kids she talked to.
She was supposed to use the children to find out their parents' allegiance. Kids were easier to break down than adults, and Alice was quite good at her job. Most of the kids followed what their parents believed. It was only natural, after all. Sometimes there were instances of abuse where her parents tried to extract the children from the situation. Unfortunately, most kids in those situations refused to tell on their parents, and there was not much that could be done without any proof.
Most families were normal, though. Normal for pure-bloods, at least. It was common for them to support Voldemort's ideals yet not actively support them. There as not much that could be done about that, but Alice's parents kept a close eye on them. A few leaned in the other direction while appearing neutral. Those aiding the enemy were the ones who had to be taken down. When that happened, the children were taken. Alice wondered what happened to them and if it only hardened their stances. She wasn't supposed to care.
She was supposed to care about the elusive pure-blood kid who didn't believe in his or her parents' ideals. Her parents promised to find a way to save those children from their situation. Alice doubted that would ever happen. Kids soaked up what their parents told them. Anyone who didn't was an outlier. Of course, Alice loved outliers. She never ignored them like others. So, she was always open to the possibility that maybe this time would be different.
Still, Alice had become less enthusiastic about each mission since her sister's death. She still did a good job, but she could hardly find the energy to care. Everything was always the same. It was boring. She doubted this English family would be any different than the French families she visited. So, when she stepped in the Black home and came face-to-face with the family, she barely registered anything at first, and she almost missed the fact that they were speaking a different language.
Alice did take in their names: Orion, the father, Walburga, the mother, Sirius, the son going into his second year at Hogwarts like her, and Regulus, the son starting his first year. She felt slight amusement from the astronomy theme she noticed in their names. Then something else caught her attention, and she snapped her head up in surprise. Orion said that Regulus, the youngest, was the family heir. That was unusual. Unheard of, at least to her.
Alice examined Sirius to see if she could figure out what was wrong with him. She had long thought that it was silly for royals, aristocrats, and pure-bloods to choose their heirs based on birth (and gender) instead of merit. However, it was a long respected tradition, and pure-bloods were all about tradition. So, the Blacks must have had a very good reason for passing over their first born.
Sirius appeared friendly enough. Friendlier than most pure-bloods she's been around. Both boys were similar in appearance with their black hair, grey eyes, and pale skin, though Regulus' hair was neater and curlier than Sirius', which was more wavy. Sirius also appeared much more relaxed, like this meeting was no big deal. She also sensed something about him. Something she could not quite place yet.
Regulus had the typical appearance of a pure-blood child as she would expect. He was neat and groomed and held himself with dignity. Alice noticed the careful control he had over his emotions. He was really good at keeping a neutral expression. Almost too good. At his mother's urging, he stepped forward and offered Alice his hand. "Ravie de faire votre connaissance," he said. With a start, she realized he was speaking perfect French. Not only that, he used the very formal 'pleased to make your acquaintance.'
When her father nudged her, Alice took Regulus' hand and said back to him, "Ravi de faire votre connaissance."
"They know French?" said Theo, sounding impressed.
"Of course," said Walburga.
Alice hardly heard the conversation, her focus on Regulus. She smiled at him when he spoke French to her. She thought she saw something flicker in his eyes, but it was quickly gone. He shook her hand, and then he brought it to his lips to give it a gentle kiss. This was not the first time a pure-blood boy had done this to her, but she felt her heart flutter. He continued to watch her as he dropped her hand. She still could detect no emotion from his expression, but he seemed to almost be analyzing her, which made her curious about him. She knew it was no good, though. She could already tell she would get nothing from him in the little time they had together. Her parents would not want her to waste her time trying to satiate her own curiosity.
Suddenly, Sirius pushed his brother out of the way and offered Alice his hand, saying, "Enchantée."
Alice was a bit startled, but quickly recovered. Since he had used the informal 'nice to meet you,' she said the same. "Enchanté." She always changed her tone, volume, and formality to match the person she was talking to in order to relate to them. It came in handy while working with her parents.
Sirius had no problem showing his emotions. He appeared amused that Alice matched his greeting. She also saw something else in his eyes as he pulled her hand close to him as if he intended to mimic his brother's actions. Was it... mischief? She had just thought it when he suddenly yanked her forward and started pulling her along through the hall.
Alice's eyes grew wide in surprise. "H-Huh?" Never in any of these encounters had something like this happened.
"Sirius," Orion said sternly.
"Alice?" Mirielle said with a hint of worry in her tone.
"It's alright!" Alice said quickly. "Don't worry about us!" Thankfully, no one followed them as Sirius pulled her through the houses, switching hands to make it easier. She did not understand what was going on, but one thing was for sure. This pure-blood family was far from typical.
