Dysfunctional

Chapter 1: A Revolting Party

Voices echoed through the halls of the house, well just one voice, a very shrill one. The voice  bounced from wall to wall and reached every square foot of the graceful manor. Along the elegantly decorated walls were paintings of ancestors and old owners of the house. Jewels and heirlooms sat on shelves, not a speck of dust in sight thanks to the house elves. The scent of murky blossom and peppermint sunk into the fabric of furniture and into the very structure of the house which often left an odd warming sensation running through one's blood. The velvet curtains were drawn back, letting golden sunlight flood the inside through the long windows that stretched across the corridors, leading to a wooden door at the end of it. The brass handle shone in the afternoon sunlight and the reflection sent spots of light onto the surrounding walls and paintings, catching the eye of a man leaning back in his frame, causing him to flinch and complain loudly.

Inside the room on the other side of the door a girl pottered around, humming along to the track she was listening to, a Kitty Kallen track. She sighed to the music as she spun around the room, letting the sound of her grandmother evaporate just outside the door and living in her own little bubble. She made her way over to the large closet and skimmed her many outfits, sadly making her way past all her favourite sweaters and skirts and dresses and looking through all the revolting dresses her grandmother basically forced upon her every time the old hag arranged one of these dumb parties for the family. Although there was one that was not as bad as the rest. A black satin dress that reached just to her knees that fell out into a flowing skirt and long sleeves. Of course it didn’t always look as nice as it did here, when she’d first received the dress from her grandma it had all these revolting ribbons and frills that were certainly not flattering, but with a little sewing and stitching and her mothers help it looked unrecognisable, her grandmother had been furious but she didn’t care, she liked it and that’s what her mother said mattered.

Slipping on the dress and walking over to the record player, she changed the record and let the soft tunes of Dean Martin wash over her. She danced her way to the vanity table and began to do her hair and makeup, singing under her breath and smiling ever so slightly.

“Everybody loves somebody, sometimes…” She reached behind her and put on a silver chain with a single pearl on it, lifting it to her lips and kissing it twice.

“-Everybody falls in love somehow.” A new voice cut into the song, turning around the girl saw her mother. Gwen had always been beautiful, the proof lay in the few pictures the girl had seen in her parents bedroom, pictures of the two at Hogwarts, young and in love. With golden her that fell down in graceful waves and a winning smile her father, Fred, claimed had drawn him too his one true love, her laughter. Her mother made her way into the girls room, her blood red dress shimmering in the lighting. Her neck and ears sparkled, matching the shine in her eyes as she gave her daughter a genuine smile.

“I always did prefer Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll meet again’ a bit more.” Gwen floated closer, coming to sit on the edge of the girls bed.

“I know, want me to put it on?” The girl asked, brushing through her dark blonde hair as she wasn’t happy with how it had turned out the first time. Her mother shook her head.

“Absolutely not, not when I can see an Abba track sitting right there and you aren’t playing it.” Her mother laughed again, running over as fast as she could in the tight dress and playing the track, almost instantly the song Mama Mia came on and the girl couldn’t help but chuckle at her mums excited face as the woman began to lip sync and dance.

“Mum!”

“Oh come on you know you love it Estella!” The girl rolled her eyes but slid off her chair joining in with her mum and dancing around her room. These moments felt so much rarer as Estella grew up, with her mother either working or worrying for her younger siblings, it was nice to have a second of her attention. Their time was ruined by the crash of the door slamming open, revealing a tall and sour looking woman, her almost white blonde hair was tied into an elegant braided bun and her lips were pulled into a thin line as she scowled at the two in the room who had immediately stopped dancing. With one flick of her wand the music cut off with an abrupt stop.

“What do you two think you are doing! Flaunting around like children, listening to that filth!” She shrieked at them, her hands flailing around with drastic movement. “I have enough to deal with, with those brainless elves without you two dancing around like hooligans! Gwyneth you should be teaching your daughter to act like a proper lady, how else will she ever find someone to marry her!” The woman spat, Estella could think of many words to sum up her grandmother, each as terrible as the next, for the woman was truly wicked. Esmerelda’s choice in style was far more traditional compared to Gwen, an emerald frock with all sorts of frills and lace hugged her bony figure and gleaming opals hung around her long neck. Gwyneth looked down at the floor and bit her tongue, knowing it was useless to fight back against her mother-in-law.

“I’m sorry Esme but you do seem a little tense and I didn’t want to get in the wa-“

“Don’t interrupt me! Now go find my son and help him get ready.” Gwyneth sent her daughter an apologetic look before walking past the sour woman. “And call me Esmerelda, none of this 'Esme' nonsense.” If Estella strained her ears she could have swore she heard her mother roll her eyes before her Grandmother turned to her instead. “And you!”

“Me?”

“Yes you, who else would I be talking too.” Estella bit her lip and pointed to the owl cage sitting on a dresser.

“I don’t know, maybe you were talking to Jewel?” Her Grandmother opened her mouth and spluttered in the most snootiest of tones as her cheeks flushed scarlet.

“I-Don’t be-The Owl-Stupid child.” She finally ended with, huffing loudly and composing herself. “Go downstairs and wait to welcome guests with your brother, maybe then you’ll finally start acting properly if you spend time with a good example.” She sneered before walking hastily back down the hall, mumbling about how the dress her granddaughter wore looked like it belonged to a prostitute. Estella rolled her eyes but still waited for her grandmothers squawking to fade before she adjusted her dress, slowly following the direction of her grandmother. She took care with the heaviness of her footsteps as she walked down the stairs towards the front door when another voice she didn’t like to hear piped up from the parlour.

“Straighten your back girl!” Her grandfather, Laurence, ordered harshly , chewing his pipe and straightening the evening edition of the Daily Prophet he was skimming through. Estella rolled her eyes as she gave him an imaginary middle finger and moved to stand next to her older brother who was dressed in what could only be described as the most elegant dress robes money could buy, and of course the idiot wore them as if they were spun with gold.

“He’s right, no respectable pureblood family will want you marrying their sons if you slouch like that Stell.” He jeered, smirking arrogantly. Estella wouldn’t call herself confident, she was shy with people she didn’t know and didn’t like to draw attention to herself, but something about her brother seemed to irk her enough she could find an insult for him easily. She never missed an opportunity to tell him to fuck off or call him an uptight nobhead with no real personality, it was just harder to do when they shared a roof with their grandparents.

“Marriage isn’t exactly top of my list right now, Prick.” She said back with a fake smile as she knew her Grandfather was nearby. 

He couldn’t really hear her anyway due to the music playing on the wizarding wireless network, Estella could barely keep her eyes open with Celestina Warbeck playing. She would much rather be listening to a good Queen track than this old rubbish. Nathaniel didn’t bite back, opting to sneer at her in a similar fashion to their grandmother. Estella was then overcome by a wonderful vision of her fist making contact with her dear brother’s jaw, his tooth flying out and hitting Esmerelda square in the wrinkly forehead. Of course Estella would never do such a thing, especially in front of her grandparents who adored Nathaniel more than their own children, spoiling him utterly rotten. Not that their parents really noticed their eldest sons inflaming ego as they were two busy with their two younger children Mariella, a sweet yet slightly annoying 5 year old who loved to show off the fact she was abnormally powerful and Julien, the boy almost always looked miserable, Estella didn’t blame him, if she was locked up all year round, never getting the chance to go to Hogwarts and live life she’d feel the same.

Julien was a very special story, very few had even known of his existence simply because of what he was, or what he had been. The story hurts Estella every time she has to think about it, her brother wandering off alone at the park near their old home, only to be humiliated and attacked for something as simple as accidental magic. It was horrific and as the days passed he seemed to get worse and worse until one day it was as if he snapped. Esmerelda had been yelling at Estella that day for whatever reason she thought fit and Julien, who had been in the room, was hearing everything. He began to shake and spasm before a dark cloud-like being had practically erupted from him, it lashed out, sending Esmerelda across the floor and shattering a glass cabinet next to Estella, it left three very painful looking scars across her shoulder and it was her scream that seemed to return Julien back to his normal 5 year old self. Now he was 13 and it had been many years since all the work had paid off in removing the parasitical thing that Estelle later learned had been an Obscurus from her brother. Even though he had been cured of sorts, their parents and grandparents refused to let the boy leave the walls of the Diamante Manor since that first outbreak, although the two had very different reasons for this. Gwyneth and Frederick were petrified that if they let their son go to Hogwarts then he’d get hurt or hurt someone else, maybe even landing himself in Azkaban or…worse. Esmerelda and Laurence however feared that the discovery of Julien’s past would stain their family name; they were terrified of anyone knowing what their grandson had been, even if he was no longer one. It was as bad as birthing a squib or marrying a muggle in their eyes and so they all agreed to keep Julien a secret and away from the world, however this summer the secret got out.

It started with a photograph. One crazy snoop desperate to get a picture of someone from the family doing something weird, something odd, something scandalous. Hiding amongst the overgrown foliage in the lavish gardens of the family home, an unknown photographer spotted Julien reading in a quiet spot. When Gwen had called for her son the unknown photographer snapped as many shots as he could and ran straight to the one and only Rita Skeeter who published one of the most outlandish articles of the summer. "Scandalous Squib or a Muggle Mistake?" It made the front page the very next day, the whole piece went on and on about Julian, who he was? why was he a secret? was he the child of a covered up affair or simply a talentless squib? And right at the top of the article was a the picture proof, of Gwen embracing her son and guiding him back inside. Esmerelda was furious and banned Julian from leaving his room for two weeks before Fred managed to talk her down and Laurence was even worse, he'd spent the entire summer raving on about how humiliating it was for him, how it made him look. Every time he went on his tangents Estella couldn't resist her urges and often rolled her eyes. The whispers and gossiping was almost enough to send her grandparents to their graves, Estella wasn’t so lucky and instead her grandparents decided to announce to the world that Julien was simply just a very sick boy, too ill for the public eye. Tonight would be the “celebration” of this news and Julians introduction to society, A ridiculously obnoxious and packed soiree of sorts that Estella was sure would feature as little of Julien as possible.

“Right they should be here very soon, oh Nathaniel you look so handsome!” Esmerelda doted on her grandson as she cupped his cheeks and planted many kisses all over it, from beside the two Estella rolled her eyes with a grimace on her face.

“Thanks Gran.” Nathaniel brought out the sweetest and sophisticated voice he could pull and beamed at his grandmother.

“Such a charmer you are.” Her smile fell when she saw Estella standing next to her beloved Grandson. “Oh no no no this won’t do, we can’t have our guests see you straight away-“ Estella opened her mouth to point our her grandmother had told her to stand there but barely got a chance to breath in. “Estella go into the dining room, you can watch your sister.” Esmerelda instructed before turning back to her grandson and picking up a loving conversation about how well he’d done in his O.W.L’s.

Estella’s grandparents had always loved Nathaniel most out of all of their grandchildren, and seeing as though they had many of them it only made Nathaniel more smug with each passing day. He was everything they’d ever dreamed of in an heir. Slytherin, Prefect, Quidditch captain, tall and as many of the girls at Hogwarts said ‘handsome’, and of course the defining quality, he was a normal pureblood with sick ideals. Unlike Julien, Mariella and many of their cousins, Nathaniel had no special powers or pasts that could be an embarrassment, he wasn’t dangerous like Julien had once been, he couldn’t change his face so easily like Mariella, he wasn’t an embarrassment like their cousin Vivienne Lovely, he was the perfect boy in their eyes. And of course Estella did not share any of those qualities, she was not a serpent but an eagle instead, she was not given the prefect badge this year, she had no interest in quidditch, and she detested the ideals her grandparents loved so much, that Purebloods were better than all. Estella was so very unlike her grandparents and it made them angry, she was sure they detested her from the punishments she received and the abuse they hurdled her way. She would say something if she wasn’t so worried about her parents, they had had to deal with so much already, Estella didn’t want to add to that stress.

Estella made her way to the dining room as quick as possible, not wanting to be around her annoying brother and her repulsive grandparents, She could not wait to graduate Hogwarts and get a job so she could get the hell out of the ghastly home. They had been living with her grandparents for years now and Estella still wasn’t sure why. As she burst into the long hall that was their dining room she spotted a small silhouette sitting at one of the chairs, her legs swinging back and forth casually as she hummed to herself. Her light brown curls fell around her face in loose ringlets and she was wearing the most revolting pink dress Estella had ever seen, its frills and lace were everywhere and the sleeves looked as though they had been hacked at with a pair of scissors. Of course to Esmerelda and Laurence this was the height of pureblood custom but Estella felt it was cruel to put her sister in such a wreck of an outfit.

“Hey Mari, you okay?” She asked as she took the seat next to her sister, leaning back in her chair and watching as the little girl turned to face her and nod. A little smirk captured Mariella’s lips as her face began to morph into a version of Estella, although quite small compared to the real thing.

“Hey Mari, you okay?” The little Estella giggled. While Mariella’s ability could be fun at times Estella was by no means it’s biggest fan, especially when her sister took to mimicking her.

“Haha very funny Mari, change back now.”

“Haha very funny Mari, Change back now” Mari’s giggle’s grew louder.

“I'm Serious Mari.”

“I'm Serious Mari!.” The little girl shrieked in laughter at the frustrated look on her sisters face, Estella groaned and looked forward, noticing just how many the large table had been set for, and it was a lot. The fact that she was about to be stuck in a room full of such wearisome people for hours, with long, droning conversations about politics and muggle’s was feeling much closer now. Estella groaned again when she heard the front door open and chattering begin, maybe she could still make it to her bedroom or sneak out into the kitchen and chill with the house elves for a bit. The large double doors flew open revealing Esmerelda, with her was a very happy looking couple and four children, their fifth had no doubt already snuck away too the library.
“Estella!” Yelled the eldest boy with a large plaster across his cheek in excitement as he ran forward. “Estella! I got my letter! I’m going to Hogwarts!”

“Wow Angus that’s amazing, what house do you think you’ll get?” Estella asked as she helped Mariella get off her chair so she could go play with William, a gap toothed five year old with dark brown curls and adorable freckles. As the two ran off Estella thought how lucky Mari was to have a cousin the same age as her that she actually got along with.

“Umm…I don’t know, I didn’t think that far ahead.” Angus frowned as he pondered what house’s he might get, then a soft voice came as a woman took the seat Mariella once sat in, holding a small, babbling 3 year old girl on her lap.

“Whatever house he gets we’ll be proud either way, won’t we dear.” She called to her husband who was now sharing a glass of firewhiskey with Estella’s father, Fredrick.

“Yes yes, but we’re rooting for Slytherin mainly, my love.” He smiled cheekily and winked at his son before returning to his conversation with Estella’s father. From the look on her aunt Anastasia’s face she wasn’t too happy with how her husbands response. Anastasia was a fortunate woman who rarely had anything to frown about and her face showed it, from the smile lines that left marks of joy on her face to the glint of bliss in her big brown eyes. She was a happy mother, a happy wife and she had a happy life, less could be said for her twin Aubrey.

“So how have you been, Sweetie, with school and everything. Any boys.” Anastasia wiggled her eyebrows and smirked and just as Estella was about to deny it a voice cut in rather rudely.

“Estella knows better than to run off with boys,” Esmerelda practically shouted from where she was talking to her husband by the newly lit fire, she sent a pointed look at Estella before turning back to her husband. Anastasia rolled her eyes and chuckled.

“She’s no fun” Estella turned to face her aunt again as she winked before standing up, saying how she wanted to check up on her son Simon in the library. Estella also stood from her seat as the rest of the Rowle family had arrived now and in a hasty attempt to avoid Camila Rowle, a whiny slytherin girl in her year, she quickly moved to the seat next to Julien and their cousin Vivienne. As she settled into her chair she could just make out Camila moaning to some other girls Estella vaguely recognised from school about when Sirius Black would be arriving. With an eye roll Estella tuned into the conversation Julien and Viv were having about Hogwarts decorations.

“Is it really true that at Halloween the floating candles turn to pumpkins?!” Julien asked with an almost childlike wonder in his expression, his ebony curls falling over his eye. Vivienne gave a toothy grin and nodded. Viv was often shunted away in public much like Julian which was probably why they always got on so well. The reason behind Vivienne’s rejection lay with her mother as she had never married, so when she fell pregnant it was quite the scandal. You wouldn’t be able to tell her and Julien were related just by looking at them, with her short stature she often stood out amongst the rest of the Diamante family who were usually taller than average, along with her freckles and tangled copper hair her presence stuck out like a sore thumb. Since her mother, Elizabeth’s, passing Vivienne had lived with Anastasia who had opened her home to the girl immediately. 

Estella was about to add to the conversation when she heard her grandmother practically screech with delight. The room had began to really fill up now, but no amount of rich, stuck up, conceited arseholes could hide the arrival of the Blacks. Two sets of parents, Druella and Cygniss with two of their three daughters and Orion and Walburga Black and their two sons. It was like royalty had entered the dining room from the air of wealth that surrounded them, Their eyes surveying the room with a look of superiority about them. Even Sirius who was a known troublemaker had that arrogance about him that screamed ‘I am important, you aren’t’. It was intimidating. Clearly Laurence and Esmerelda were far to excited to have such a noble family in their home to be intimidated and immediately glided to greet them. Druella gave a slight curtsy to both Esmerelda and Laurence, a blank, emptiness in her smile, while Cygniss gave Laurence a strong handshake and what seemed to be a genuinely happy greeting. 

Their daughters both curtsied like their mother, the taller one standing up first with a straight back, she reeked of pride and her black curls were styled on the verge of unruly yet still proper. her heavily hooded eyelids scanned the room as she twisted a great glinting diamond ring that sat perfectly on her finger, a sign of her betrothal. Next to Bellatrix stood Narcissa, who looked a little more bored than her sister, her blonde hair was pulled into an elegant braid and she was dressed in the most wonderful of gowns, Estella couldn’t help the little twinge of jealousy at the sight of the dress, her lips remained stiff and her eyes scanned the room too, catching Estella’s ever so slightly before she was lead away to her seat. Estella had sat next to Narcissa for the whole of last year in charms class and she still wasn’t sure how she felt about the girl. She didn’t seem as cruel as most of her family but of course she didn’t know the girl well enough to judge her character accurately. Estella watched as they sat and wondered how Andromeda was, seeing as it was now well known she’d been disowned and that she’d had a daughter as well.

Esmerelda and Laurence had moved on with their greetings to Orion and Walburga. The two gave polite nods and smiles, introducing their two sons loftily. Regulus stood with great poise, his hair combed and tidy and a magnificent set of robes dressed his figure. The way he stood and simpered at her grandparents remained Estella greatly of her brother, which repulsed her. Sirius however was everything opposite of his parents and brother, his collar was undone, shirt untucked, robes all over the place and if she looked close enough she was sure she could see a packet of muggle cigarettes poking out the top of his pocket. His hair was not styled but was very similar to how Estella liked her room, an organised mess, and he seemed to be owning it by the looks of that cocky smirk he was wearing. Estella hadn’t really ever spoken to the boy before, even though they were in the same year, and he had dated a dear friend of hers the previous year, their paths had never crossed. 

With the twinkling of glass Laurence called for everyones attention, offering the many guests to take a seat for dinner. As Estella tucked herself in she was knocked into by someone who practically lunged for the seat on her other side. Looking up she came face to face with Sirius, her nerves spiking as he fell into his seat, his striking grey eyes watching a pouting Camila as she was forced to sit away from him for the evening. Estella watched him for a moment before turning back to her brother and listening to him quietly pester Vivienne for more about Hogwarts. She was aware Sirius was looking at her now, she could feel his eyes on her, fiddling with her necklace to distract herself from that horrible feeling of being watched. Estella grabbed her water and sipped it nervously, a tap on her arm caused her to jolt and drops of water splashed down her front, causing her cheeks to flush as she wiped her front with her napkin discreetly. A quiet chuckle came from Sirius as Estella attempted to clean herself up without drawing too much attention away from her grandfather’s stupid speech about hardship and rumour mongering.

“Careful you don’t drown.” Sirius muttered through a smile Estella was sure would drive half of Hogwarts wild. She gave him a weak smile in return before focusing back on her grandfather, but listening intently to his speech didn’t last long. “I remember you, you sat next to James last year in potions, terrible at it isn’t he?” Estella struggled to form words, she didn’t actually expect Sirius to try and talk to her. 

“Uh, yeh he kept making googly eyes at Evans.” Estella mumbled, not really knowing what to say to the boy as she hadn’t spoken to him before. Sirius then looked her up and down, those dangerous eyes dragging over her. She could feel him judging her and it made her want to fidget.

“Got a problem with her?” Estella looked confused, that wasn’t the response she had expected. She barely knew Lily Evans, one of her best friends shared a dorm with her and she still barely knew the girl.

“Why would I? I don’t know her.” Sirius looked a little surprised, he stuck his bottom lip out as he pondered something.

“Really? I just thought, well with…” he gestured around the room. “You know.” Estella didn’t need him to explain further, she scowled and picked her glass up, taking another swig from it before facing him again.

“I’m as much my family as you are yours Black.” She whispered harshly before facing away from him completely, turning to face where her grandfather continued to make his speech, he was reaching the point of his goblin joke which made an appearance every speech Laurence ever gave, no matter how inappropriate the joke was. 

The meal droned on just like her grandfathers speech had, Estella practically zoned out the whole time, living up in her little dream world so she didn’t have to hear any ridiculous political views many were sharing. When it did finally end guests were encouraged to move around from room to room Estella was the first to get away, bolting for the door and swiftly making her way to their lounge. It was her favourite room in the entire house, excluding her bedroom of course. The walls were decorated a deep teal with dark wooden finishing and the sofa’s were big and cosy with many hand made blankets draped across the cushions. Two large windows stood on the wall to the right, in the late summer it was a wonderful spot to admire the front lawns and in the winter it was perfect for curling up with a good book in front of the grand fireplace.

The mantle was full of moving pictures of Estella and her siblings. Nathaniel on his first ever toy broom zooming around in one frame, a grin of delight across his chubby cheeks, Julien at the age of four covered in flour with a laughing Gwen next to him. Estella dancing around the living room of their old home, the legs of her father who she was teaching the dance too just in frame. A baby with pink fluffy hair swaddled up in a cream blanket, the letter ‘M’ stitched in the corner closest to the baby Mariella’s heart. Estella watched the pictures closely, picking up a golden framed picture. A seven year old Estella was laughing, perched on Nathaniel’s back, he couldn’t be any older than eight or nine, he was running around with Estella on his back, his smile just as bright as his sisters, a mop of golden curls framing his youthful face. Estella smiled sadly at the picture, it had been years since they had gotten on like that, she barely recognised the boy in the frame, his smile was different to the usual dignified smirk he wore now, his hair much more neat and well kept than a the main of unruly curls, even his eyes had changed from the bright green he once shared with his siblings, they were now an icy silver, as if his eyes could tell how cold and cruel he’d become. She placed the picture back on the mantel with the others and sighed, turning to take a seat on the sofa but stopping in her tracks, her body jolting at the shock of another person in the room with her. 

“Hello Gorgeous.” Evan Rosier leered, his eyes raking over Estella like a lion watching a gazelle. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, this was not the first time he’d pulled something like this around her, in her home. No amount of complaining to her family did any good though as her grandparents felt it showed other purebloods she was desirable, it just made Estella want to be sick. Evan of course had no real feelings for her, he simply enjoyed taunting Estella as much as possible, he rejoiced in her embarrassment and uncomfortable shuffling.

“Do you need something?” Estella asked quietly, in her head she was cussing the idiot out for being such a foul excuse of a man.

“I’m looking at it.” His teeth pulled at his bottom lip as his eyes focused lower than Estella’s eyes, much lower. “That dress really hugs the perfect places doesn’t it.”

Estella’s love for the dress evaporated within a second, she scoffed in disbelief and headed for the door, intending on getting as far away from Evan Rosier as possible. He was too quick though, just as she pulled the door opened he pushed it shut again, cornering her against the wall.

“What are you doing?” Estella asked as she pulled at the door again, but he was too strong.

“C’mon Estella, it’s just a bit of fun.” The hand he wasn’t using to hold the door was resting on her lower back as she continued to pull at the brass handle, but as he spoke it lowered it far to much for Estella’s liking. She didn’t think too long about it, in one quick motion her elbow dug deep into Evan’s stomach. He grunted in pain, caught off guard entirely and giving Estella a chance to push him away from the door so she could slip out. Now surrounded by people again she began a hasty walk to the stairs, hoping to run up into her room and hide for the rest of the evening but her route changed at the last minute as she spotted her grandmother in deep conversation with Walburga Black just at the foot of the steps.

“I receive owls about his behaviour almost weekly, its disgraceful.” Walburga complained, Esmerelda nodded sombrely, a small glass of sherry in her wrinkled hands.

“I am sure she will be able to rain him in, of course only if you still think it’s a good match…” Estella turned away quickly, wanting to avoid hearing anymore on whatever her grandmother was talking about. She could just see Evan Rosier coming along the hallway, still rubbing his stomach, Estella quickly ducked in to the kitchen, rushing past all the busy house elves before crouching to the floor and hiding behind a table. She sat quietly, every now and then a house elf would look at her funnily or ask if she was alright, Estella didn’t get much contact with the house elves in her home, they were very subtle and didn’t like to draw attention to themselves, which in Estella’s Grandfathers words was ‘how a house elf should be’. 

As time ticked by the brunette twiddled with the pearl necklace around her neck, stroking the single pearl carefully with the pad of her thumb. It had been her Grandmothers, her other one that was. Imogen Lavinye, her mothers mother. Imogen and Malachi were everything a child would want in grandparents, they were kind, down to earth, good people, at least they had been. They never once looked down on someone for their blood, or the wealth or status, Estella missed them, missed her Nana’s cooking, her Gramps booming laugh, their cute little dance whenever “You charmed the heart right out of me” came on the wizarding wireless, the fact they always were in her corner, it was something Estella missed so dearly around the house. As she pressed the pearl harder against her thumb she fought off that dark empty feeling in her stomach, not wanting the house elves to cause a fuss if they saw her crying. She took a deep breath, preparing to stand up when the kitchen door swung open, rushing footsteps clattered around as the person tried to avoid the house elves. Estella pulled her legs to her chest, hoping the person hadn’t seen them. Whoever this person was they seemed to be in a panic from the panting and racket they were making. They rushed over to the table Estella hid behind, ducking down under it too. Estella looked at Sirius in confusion, he looked a little rattled and was trying to sort his hair out when he finally noticed her.

“What are you doing here?” He asked in a fast whisper, leaning in towards Estella so his voice carried less.

“What am I doing here? This is my kitchen, what are you doing here?” Sirius was about to answer when the door opened again, clicking heels stepping on spotless tile until one step ended with a little squeak, Estella realised whoever had walked in had just stepped on a poor house elves' foot.

“Oh stop whining you little beast, have you seen Sirius Black?” Camila Rowle’s voice was high pitched and whiny as usual, Estella would have loved to hex her for addressing the house elf like that but didn’t dare stand up, her gaze met Sirius panic stricken face as the two listened and waited.

“No miss, i-i haven’t.” The house elf’s voice wobbled, the small thumping as he hopped on his uninjured foot, Estella was angry and clearly from Sirius’s new expression of ‘What the hell?!’ She had made some noise reflecting her thoughts.

“Who’s there?” Estella cursed in her mind before standing up slowly, when Camila saw it was only Estella the small hope in her eyes fell and she huffed. “Oh it’s just you. Why are you on the floor?” She asked judgmentally, looking Estella up and down weirdly.

“Oh uh, just wanted some peace and quiet, did you say you were looking for Sirius?” Estella fumbled with her fingers, waiting for Camila to agree.

“Yes, have you seen him?!” She demanded. Estella scanned the room, seeing the door to the pantry and pointing at it.

“He may have gone in there.” She said, Camila began to walk over, Estella faced Sirius and mouthed ‘go’. Sirius nodded, jumping up and heading for the door, but before he could get all the way Camila called out from the pantry.

“He’s not!” Sirius looked around quickly before spotting an empty cupboard, as quick as a whippet he jumped in, squeezing himself small and shutting the door. Camila reemerged with an angry glare focused on Estella.

“Oh sorry, it must have been a house elf.” Estella smiled innocently, making sure to avoid glancing at the cupboard she knew Sirius was currently inside.

“You thought a dirty little house elf was the Sirius Black, are you blind?” Camila raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms before making a noise of disgust and storming out of the kitchen. After a few seconds when she knew it was safe Estella ran over to the cupboard, opening the door to see Sirius folded in on himself.

“She has a point, no one could mistake me for a house elf.” He said breathlessly as it was obvious it was hard to breath being in such a tight space. Estella helped Sirius out of the cupboard, trying hard not to laugh as he cursed every time he hurt himself.

“As fun as that was, I’m gonna go hide in my room now.” Estella said, walking round Sirius and towards the door, but Sirius grabbed her arm.

“Wait no! Don’t leave me down here by myself.” He cried dramatically, Estella’s mouth parted slightly, looking down at his grip on her arm to his desperate, pleading face, pitiful was the word that came to Estella’s mind as she inhaled deeply before sighing out her answer.

“Fine, come on then, and we have to be discreet.”

“Sneaking up to a girls bedroom is what I do for a living.” Sirius grinned wolfishly, Estella was already regretting her decision.

The two made their way quietly out of the kitchen, passing the parlour where the most noise was coming from and heading up the now empty stairs. Once they reached the landing they made a run for it, running all the way past the windows which no longer let in golden light but instead were covered by thick curtains. They got to Estella’s door and she pushed it open, letting the two in and before shutting it quickly. Estella leaned back against the door, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she was finally free from the god awful party and could relax-

“Nice room.” Estella’s eyes snapped open at the realisation of who she had just let into her room set in. She looked over at Sirius who seemed very at ease with the fact he was in some random person's room, not bothered by any awkwardness.

“Thanks.” Estella mumbled. A long pause took over the room and Estella suddenly found herself missing the kitchen. “So Camila’s after you.” Estella didn’t really know what to say, she didn’t like being put into these situations with anybody, but Sirius Black was her friends ex, and she was stuck in a room with him, Estella wondered how many people at school would who would give anything to trade places with her right now, probably in the hundreds.

“Yeh, she’s utterly mental, I’d rather date the giant squid, besides everyone knows I’m not that keen on Slytherins.” His eyes then fell to the Ravenclaw banner that hung above Estella’s dresser and smirked, catching Estella’s eyes and taking a step closer. 

“Of course, I have no issue with sweet little Hufflepuff’s,” He took another step closer, his face rather intense,

“Maybe a fiery Gryffindor, “ Another step, Estella went to step backwards but realised she was already flushed against the door.

“and of course my favourite.” He was very close to her now, so close she could smell the nicotine on his jacket. “A witty Ravenclaw.” Estella’s eyes were as wide as ping pong balls, she recognised the look in his eyes, it was one he had given her friend many times last year, one she had seen him use on multiple people throughout their time at Hogwarts. Her nose scrunched a little in disgust, if there was one person she would avoid dating at Hogwarts it was the revolving door Sirius Black. As she opened her mouth to tell him to take a step back he began to laugh.

“Oh that was hilarious, your face was priceless!” He cried out as he fell into an armchair she had by her window.

“What?”

“Don’t worry Doll, I could tell you weren’t interested when your eyes became the size of a house elves. I must say I’m a little dejected but pleasantly surprised, most girls would turn to putty in my hands if I did that to them.” He chuckled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and opening the window, lighting one and sticking it between his teeth.

“Sorry to disappoint you but unlike most of the girls at our school I wouldn’t bend over for you Black.” Estella had no idea why she suddenly felt okay saying something like that to Sirius, perhaps the kitchen had bonded them. Sirius sighed with an overplayed gloom.

“Shame, What a fun pass time that would be,” He beamed cheekily, winking at the girl as she sat down on the windowsill he had chosen to smoke by, she grimaced but chuckled all the same. “All though I must admit, you’ve earned my respect not letting your pride go just cause a hot guy practically snogged you.”

“Wow you’re modest.” Estella said sarcastically, eyeing the cigarette he held between his fingers.

“Why thank you,” He noticed her stare on his cigarette. “Want one?” Estella contemplated, she’d had them on occasion, especially when she was stressed.

“God yes.” Sirius looked a little shocked when she agreed, taking one out and giving her the light, he was even more surprised when she lit it with ease and took a drag as if she were breathing in the cleanest air money could buy.

“Wow, and here I thought you were just some snooty pureblood who only liked books.” He said, taking another drag. Estella shrugged.

“Never judge a book by its cover Black.” Sirius snorted as Estella breathed out, letting the smoke cloud her face.

“You sound like Moony."

“Moony?” Sirius nodded, sitting up a bit.

“It’s a nickname for my friend Remus, Remus Lupi-“

“I know who Remus is, I’m pretty sure everyone knows your little group.” The cigarette had definitely eased Estella’s nerves and she felt much more comfortable now. Sirius pursed his lips slightly.

“Fair enough.” He sighed out again, the smell of smoke becoming more predominate as the minutes ticked by, after half an hour though Estella heard footsteps that she recognised immediately, Sirius who had also heard the footsteps groaned as Estella put her cigarette out, tossing it out the window. The door flew open to reveal Esmerelda who scowled and Wallburger not far behind her.

“What are you two doing up here!” Esmerelda shrieked, walking over and snatching the cigarette out of Sirius’s hands, throwing it outside similarly to how Estella had done moments ago.

“I got a bit hot down stairs and so my dear friend Stacy-“

“Estella.”

“-Estella and I came here to relax.” Sirius said casually, although when he spotted his mothers face he stopped smirking, in fact he almost looked scared and Estella didn’t blame him, Wallburger looked like a scary woman, she could only imagine what it was like having a mother like that.

“Don’t play dumb Sirius!” Wallburger scolded, “As if this was just an innocent little act, I’ve heard what you get up to at school. We’re leaving.” She said, and Estella knew from her tone that it was not the end of that discussion. She then turned to Esmerelda, “Thank you for having us Esmerelda, and I look forward to our families future prospects.”

A small smile crossed Wallburger’s lips as her and Esmerelda nodded curtly to each other before Wallburger grabbed Sirius by the collar of his robes and pulled him up, pushing him to the door. The two walked away, leaving Estella alone with her grandmother. Esmerelda glared at Estella, spitting for her to fix her sleeve and telling her they’d discuss having a boy alone in her room later. Estella knew there wouldn't be much of a discussion but nodded, her eyes glued to the floor, but as Esmerelda left the brunette couldn’t help but wonder about what ‘family prospects’ Walburga meant, it was most curious to Estella in the worst way possible.