Claire Leroux
“Good morning Claire… How are you? ... Yes. Yes we’re quiet busy. As I’m sure you’re too.” Hope chuckled into the receiver while simultaneously writing a list on a little sheet of paper.
“Could I send Remus and the new boys over later? Lyall’s driving to the Harper’s farm to help fix some vehicle they have trouble with, he’ll drop them off on the way, I have a whole list here with herbs I need to restock… Yes sure… Yes the boys get along well… Maybe have a closer look, but I don’t have to tell you, right? You always look closely.” Hope smiled silently while listening to the old healer woman’s words. “I’d be happy if you shared your insights with me, as always, Claire … Alright … yes … they’ll be over soon… take care Claire and thank you.” Hope hung up the phone and concentrated on her list again. It wouldn’t do to bother with a list and then forget some things anyway. She added two more words, then stared out the window without really seeing anything. She really wondered about Regulus. Sure, he wasn’t talking, but the things he did, how he did them, how he always had that slightly wondering look in his eyes whenever observing other people, mainly when they were talking … it just made sense… and Hope really wanted to make things easier for him, for Sirius, too.
It’d been all Hope could manage not to gasp when the two boys first arrived this time around, almost two weeks ago now. They didn’t look good at all. Pale as always but also kind of weary and Reg definitely seemed as if he didn’t eat enough. Sirius was skinny, too, but so was Remus and he sure did devour heaps of food. But the younger brother definitely was too skinny, blue veins visible underneath his skin way too clearly. He was eating now, being here, not the amounts Remus put away but then again, Reg wasn’t as active as the two older boys either. Well, lots of things that needed pondering, as well as the topic of really talking to Walburga and Orion Black – Hope was still figuring out how to subtly go about that…
***
Reg wasn’t sure what to think of the situation he found himself in right now. Hope and Michelle had explained everything to them a few moments ago, but now everything was already happening and Reg wasn’t sorted. He was in a foreign car. A very strange car. Big. With a large open-bed behind them. Was this a pick-up truck? Michelle was there in the front seat which was at least normal but the driver wasn’t Mr. Carrow as usual but Remus’ dad. Wearing some kind of straw hat. Never had Regulus seen his father wear a straw hat. The radio played some music Reg didn’t recognize and Remus had no seatbelt. There simply wasn’t one, in the middle seat on that backseat-bench they were sitting on. It bothered Reg quiet some amount that Remus had no seatbelt. It wasn’t how things were supposed to be in a car. It wasn’t safe. Then the road they were driving on was bumpy. (And Remus had no seatbelt). And this old half-truck-car made quiet the noise, there was a constant screeching and grating somewhere and Regulus just didn’t know. Would this car hold together at all? Their own cars were always so smooth and silent. He had grabbed the door-handle a while ago and held on now for dear life, staring straight at the headrest of Michelle’s seat, feeling his own heartbeat in his chest galloping away. Was he still breathing? Reg didn’t know for sure. He didn’t like to feel like this but sometimes it happened and he didn’t know what to do about it at all.
Then there was a hand grabbing his free hand and opening his fingers - Reg hadn’t even realized he had made a fist – then sliding their palms together. This was Sirius’ hand, he would always recognize that. Reg felt a breath escape his lungs.
“Reg. Hey. We’re here together, okay?” Sirius was leant half across Remus thighs to reach him and peered at him with his big blue-gray eyes. Another bump in the road. Reg closed his eyes tightly and squeezed his brother’s hand. When he opened his eyes again there was another hand held out before him, with one round object laying there. Remus’ moonies. One of them. Reg looked at Remus next to him.
“There. Take it. You can try count the spots. That’s what I always do.”
***
Remus let Reg grab the self-made marble, trying a little smile for encouragement. Sirius’ little brother looked a little ill. A little scared, maybe? Maybe he felt like Remus when his parents took him to some foreign places he hadn’t been before. This car was foreign for Reg, right, and he didn’t know Claire either. No wonder he didn’t feel that good. Remus could totally understand him.
***
Opening the old wooden door of the little cottage to greet her guests, Claire Leroux almost couldn’t believe her eyes. Before her stood two young boys, very similar looking, coal-black hair, blue-gray eyes with fine brows, pale skin and the typical posture, even if Claire could also see that the older one didn’t mean to stand like that, but it was there anyway. These were siblings of the Black family alright. The resemblance was really quiet astonishing, even if the old healer-woman could only compare to a memory from long ago… Next to them, a smiling Remus and a young woman. Claire quickly blinked and returned Remus’ smile. “Good morning. Hello Remus, how are you? And you must be Michelle, Sirius and Regulus. I’m Claire. Would you like to come in?”
***
Regulus had never seen such a strange place. The cottage this Claire-lady lived in was surrounded by a jungle-like garden, with an ancient-looking little wall all around it. The wall was build of rocks and boulders of all different sizes and a little decayed-looking in places, overgrown by ivy. And then there were bushes and plants and flowers just everywhere, little paths winding in between, a gnarly old tree here and there. The jungle didn’t stop there though, it continued inside the house!
It wasn’t large inside, quiet the opposite, actually, only two rooms on the ground floor from what Regulus could see. A worn but cosy living room area and behind that, with another little door to the back garden, the kitchen - with a tile stove and very cluttered old wooden table with a corner-bench around it. And plants. Everywhere. On the windowsills and hanging from the top of the window-frames in pots, on the ground, on a bench and hanging just about everywhere but mainly in the kitchen – in tied bundles from the ceiling or poles attached to the walls – dried plants. It looked like some of the pictures in his fairytale-books, the ones with the witches and fairies and old wizard people. The older woman herself looked a little like a fairy from a book, too. With her long, white hair and sparkling blue-green eyes. Like the ocean on a sunny day. She didn’t seem that old either, how she almost floated around in her kitchen, all agile and sure, humming under her breath a little while gathering some things on a tray.
“That’s it. All important things together now. Follow me, follow me, you can sit on the terrace and have some spiced chocolate or tea and biscuits” Claire led them out through the back door and motioned for them all to sit at the chairs and benches around yet another wooden table.
“Help yourself, I’ll gather the things for your mum, Remus.” And with that and flowing white hair behind her like a veil, she vanished inside again.
Regulus stared at the tray with steaming kettles and mugs and the little plate with light brown biscuits on it. Was this a fairytale?
***
This was definitely the best hot cocoa Sirius had ever had. It was so spicy that his body tingled all over with something. It wasn’t unpleasant. Sirius closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling. All of a sudden, there was a little clatter at the table and a frightened gasp from his brother on the other side. Sirius quickly looked up and – oh! A rather large crow-like bird, black and white, the wings shimmering blue-green – beautiful – was hopping around Reg’s plate and picking at the crumbs there. This was a bold bird if Sirius ever saw one! Reg was leaning far back in his chair now and eyed the thief with furrowed brows. Sirius almost laughed, this was so typical, these weird things always seemed to happen to Reg. As if the world gave its all to coax the littlest Black out of his shell.
“Ah. Don’t worry, that’s only Duke. He’s tame. Wait.” Remus took another biscuit, broke it into smaller pieces and kept the crumbs on his palm – stretched out towards the bird, coaxing him nearer. Miraculously, Duke hopped across the table, then onto Remus lower arm and started quickly picking up the crumbs. Remus took his arm back, Duke just sitting there, almost giving him a reproachful look.
“This is so cool! Why’s he called Duke? And what kind of bird is he? Not a crow, right?” Sirius could hardly sit still on his chair. Would Duke come to sit on his arm, too?
“He’s a magpie. Black-billed magpie. He thinks he owns the place and acts like it, as you can see. Claire named him Duke. It’s fitting, right? She found him as a nestling, nurtured and raised him and now he always comes back and – Augh! Duke! Get down!” With one smooth hop and the tiniest flutter of wings the bird was sitting on Remus head now, picking at his curls, gleaming golden in the sun. Sirius couldn’t keep still anymore now, he threw his head back and laughed. Even Reg giggled a little. Remus and Duke were quiet the sight. The Magpie looked rather happy up there, like this was the best nest to be found, but Remus looked even better with his scrunched up nose and squinting eyes.
There was a little chuckle coming from the backdoor. It was Claire with a big basket full of little brown packages, slowly walking over towards the table.
“Duke. Leave Remus alone you silly bird.” She clucked two times with her tongue and held her arm out, just in time for the Magpie to settle down after leaving Remus’ head with a flutter.
“Thanks Claire. He gets cheekier every day!” Remus stroked his fingers through his hair to get rid of the tangles the bird had left with its claws, with rather little success though – his hair standing up in all directions now.
“He just likes your golden curls, Remus, especially when the sun shines.”
“Pfff… still cheeky…” Remus grabbed another biscuit and put it into his mouth in one piece – probably before Duke could get any other ideas.
Sirius stood up then and held his arm out, a few leftover crumbs on his open palm.
“Can he come sit on my arm, too? Please, Duke?”
“He will, probably. Just wait a little, he’s very curious.” Claire moved a little over towards Sirius and a few moments later Duke was already sitting on his forearm, gobbling up all the broken biscuits.
“Do you see this, Reg? Isn’t he incredible?” Sirius was so amazed by it all his voice was little more than a whisper. And he didn’t want to startle the bird.
And then, even more like a whisper:
“Yes.” Reg was watching his brother with wide eyes, a little proud smile around his lips. This must be a fairytale then, obviously.
***
It was quiet late in the evening, already dark outside, and Hope was still busy in the kitchen with huge pots full of fruit simmering on the stove. Remus was long asleep already. With the process of preserving and jarring all the berries they harvested this afternoon, the bramble or currants didn’t care whether it was late already and starlight outside. The stubborn berries just took all the time they needed. Hope didn’t mind. But she did wonder what Walburga Black was doing outside, she could see her from the kitchen window. Walburga was alternately walking up and down in front of the little guest house and then again sitting down on the bench next to the entrance, head resting against the wall, eyes closed. It looked like she was splitting her time between running around nervously and trying to get some rest.
After a check-in with the berries, Hope put the lids back onto the pots and started the kettle for tea. A little while later, she was on her way to the other woman with a tray, laden with a little tea-pot and two handmade mugs.
“Good evening Mrs. Black. I’ve just prepared some tea for the evening, would you like some, too? I always enjoy its calming effects after a long day…”
“Oh.” Walburga seemed to wake from a little staring-into-the-distance-moment. “Yes, why not. Thank you. Even if I never in my life experienced any calming effects they advertise on the package.” The black-haired woman took one cup and with half-lidded eyes sniffed the steam rising from it.
“Well, you’ll be surprised then, probably, this isn’t coming from a package.” Hope chuckled quietly.
Walburga imperceptively narrowed her eyes a little at that, then took a first tentative sip from the cup. She swallowed and – maybe a little teasingly – lifted one elegantly arched eyebrow. “It’s still just tea, though.”
Hope shrugged her shoulders, a little silent smile around her lips. “Hm. Maybe tell me about it in the morning.”
“I will.” Walburga gave the typical dignified nod with her head. The one all the Blacks had down to a fine art. Hope almost shook her head at that. These Blacks were something else, really.
“I’m looking forward to it. Goodnight Mrs. Black.”
“Goodnight Mrs. Lupin.”
Hope started walking back towards the berries waiting for her in the kitchen then, without turning around or glancing back. She never saw the little appreciative glint that lingered around Walburga Black’s eyes…
***
“Mrs. Lupin! A moment, please!” Walburga rushed along the garden path to catch up with Hope, who was on her way to the rabbits with a bowl full of lettuce and a few carrots.
“Mrs. Black – good morning. Is everything okay?” Hope looked a little surprised at the hold-up from the other woman, who usually appeared nothing other than totally collected and above all else.
Walburga quickly shook her head. “Yes. No. I mean – I’m sorry – I should say good morning first, of course.” She smiled almost shyly then started again. “This tea. What was it? I slept all night and even overslept – it’s already ten! Impossible! I had to ask Michelle where my husband vanished to, I never sleep that long, usually. I need this tea. I will pay for it, no matter what. I take all you have left.” Then, as an afterthought, “Please.”
Hope chuckled a little then shook her head subtly. “I don’t have much of this special mixture here, actually. This was all fresh, herbs only picked yesterday. You know, the elder lady the boys went to? Claire Leroux, she’s a healer, really ancient wisdom. You’d have to ask her about the special composition. I’m sure she’ll gladly help.” Hope didn’t tell the other woman that this little jar with the special mixture of fresh herbs had been labeled ‘cure for sleepless nights’ and had just innocently arrived in the basket with her own ordered and packed dried plants. Of course, Claire would have known already… however or wherever she gained her insight from, nobody knew...
“The old woman with the crow? Sirius wouldn’t shut about that bird yesterday evening. She made that tea? Alright. I’ll visit her then. I’ll cancel everything else. Heaven knows whichever exciting adventure Orion has wandered off to already anyway. He can survive half a day on his own, I guess.”
***
With directions from Hope and a lift from Lyall,Walburga found herself in front of Claire Leroux’ little cottage. There wasn’t a doorbell anywhere so she rapped her knuckles on the old wood a few times. After a little waiting, the door opened and she was greeted by quiet the appearance: long silver-white hair, a flowing kind of Indian-style dark blue dress and striking blue-green eyes, unusually sparkling for a person of that age. Walburga felt seen through somehow.
“Walburga Black. I had a feeling you’d be by...” The silver-haired woman gave a knowing smile.
“Mrs. Leroux? How did you recognize me?”
“Oh, I didn’t know myself until yesterday, but obviously I do recognize members of the Black family. But come in, I’m sure you don’t want to talk on the doorstep.” Claire stepped inside and waved for the other woman to follow her.
“Until yesterday? But that must mean you knew our family before that. How?” Walburga felt more confused by the minute. Claire lit a candle and poured them both a cup of cold tea from a carafe.
“This will probably be a lot to take in, now, but I haven’t always lived here, you know. My grandparents - from my father’s side – they’ve always lived in Vancouver. Norwood Avenue. Right opposite your mansion. My father and grandfather were artists, the whole house was full of their paintings. It’s hard to believe, probably, but your grand-grandfather’s brother and I knew each other quiet well since we were kids.” Claire smiled a little at the memory.
“My grand-grandfather’s brother. Which one?” Walburga fixed the older woman with an incredulous look.
“Phineas.”
“Of course it’d be Phineas. What was it again he did to end up disowned?” Walburga couldn’t believe that she sat here opposite somebody who had known her ancestors.
“Oh he did many things, I believe. In the end he left for Peru to help enforce the rights of the indigenous people there. He always had the urge to set things right.” Claire lifted one eyebrow at that.
“Hm. Interesting. Artists you say? Your Father and grandfather… Leroux… ” Walburga looked rather thoughtful now. “I think there are some paintings at our place...”
“Yes. Your grandfather Cygnus bought some before we sold the house. The fountain with the birds was one of them.”
“The fountain. With the birds. This is past all belief, really. The fountain still hangs in the parlour. I think I need a drink.”
Claire chuckled at that. “I’m afraid I don’t have what you’re thinking of, but take a sip of your cup, it’ll be alright.” Walburga did take a sip of the cold tea.
“Mmh. This tastes fresh. That reminds me. Hope Lupin said that tea was yours. From yesterday. Your recipe. Could I buy a rather large amount from you? And what’s the secret? I’ve tried herbal remedies from the best pharmacies, it never worked.”
“The modern pharmacies don’t know anything. They grow large fields of herbs, use fertilizer and other poison against insects, harvest and pack them with machines to make the best profit and think that will do the job.”
“It doesn’t?” Walburga looked rather stunned at the little lecture. Claire only laughed.
“Of course not. By the time you’ve left your money at their counter there isn’t any healing quality left. That’s not how it works at all.”
“I see. I can’t say that I understand it all, but I believe you. Your tea was the only thing that helped, after all.” Walburga seemed almost shy now.
“May I ask how the tea helped?” Claire looked at her guest with an open expression on her face. The black-haired woman sighed and pouted her lips for a moment, as if pondering whether or not to tell the old healer more. She sighed again.
“Well, I could sleep, rather quickly, too, right after the tea. And slept as long as never before.”
“It’s obvious you needed it then. The rest.” Claire looked rather earnest now.
“Oh I do. I know that. Only I seldomly get it.” The two woman were quiet after that for a while. Walburga seemed lost in her thoughts and Claire slowly took a few more sips of tea.
“You know, Phineas had trouble sleeping, too? He never really could sleep in that house of yours. As soon as it was warm enough, he slept in the hammock in our garden, underneath the largest trees. Always. Since he was a kid. He always came some time at night. Ursula was furious but she couldn’t do anything to keep him inside the house for long.”
“That sounds like something Sirius would do in an instant, the moment he knew there was an option like that.” Walburga looked even more pensive at that.
“Honestly Walburga, I think you are right. Sirius quiet takes after Phineas, regarding their character and temper, spirit, even. And I want to tell you something important now. It won’t change. Your son will stay just like that, he won’t give up. He needs to be free. And if you don’t want him to completely detach himself from your family in the end, maybe think about it. Sometimes it’s necessary and possible to let things change from the old ways.” Another moment of silence.
“Does Sirius sleep well? If you don’t mind me asking?” Claire had that see-through look in her eyes again. Walburga heaved out a long sigh.
“Well. He does here. At the Lupins.”
“And at home? Am I right in assuming he’s not sleeping much? I could see it, you know, yesterday.” Claire poured them both some more tea and leaned back in her chair then.
“So why ask at all? If you know it already?” Walburga closed her eyes and put her fingers to her temples, rubbing a little.
“You need to see it too, it’s no use that I know it.” Claire gave the younger woman a little smile.
“Well, I see enough of it, believe me.” Walburga looked down at her hands, pushing her thumbs together.
“Understand it, then. It’s no use seeing something without understanding, either.” Claire got up from the table then and vanished into the kitchen. When she came back she held a brown glass jar in her hands, labeled with a little white piece of paper.
“Here. It’s the tea you had yesterday, dried of course. Just a teaspoon for a little pot, even less for a cup. You don’t need much to get the magic there.”
“Oh. Thank you. How much do I owe you?” Walburga looked a little overwhelmed.
“Money is not the thing you can give me for this. It’s part of the secret. If you want to do something, try to understand. Sirius. Regulus, too. And yourself.” Claire passed the brown jar. Walburga observed the movement with eyes wide open. No payment. For something the best pharmacies didn’t even know about. She had to clear her throat a little and slowly turned toward the door. “You know, Sirius was quiet entranced yesterday. Wouldn’t stop talking about your special bird. It’s not here now, is it?” Claire’s whole face lit up with a smile at these words.
“No, Duke’s not here right now or we would have noticed. He comes and goes as he pleases. Very free spirit that one.”
“A shame. Well, I see now what Sirius was on about, anyway. I think I’ll walk home. Enough time to understand some more things, hopefully. Goodbye Claire Leroux. And thank you.” Walburga gave the old healer a little nod and stepped through the door. Claire Leroux gave a little wave with her hand.
“Goodbye, Walburga Black. Come back anytime.”
***