Chapter 1
I can't sleep. I can't ever sleep. Having children is both the best and worst thing I think I've ever done. Having a family is the root cause of all my-
She's crying again. Slowly, I pick myself out of bed, making sure not to wake Romeo in the process. He has a meeting in the morning, and needs as much sleep as he can get. Lottie's crib is just to the side of the door anyway. She's a good girl, she doesn't cry loudly. Romeo says its because she knows I'll come to her eventually. I think it's because she can tell I'm trying hard to be better than my mum. Either way, she's a good girl. My good girl. I pick her up out her crib, cradling her to my chest. She's only six months old, and a small baby. There's nothing wrong with her though, I made the doctor double, triple and quadruple check that. She immediately quietens, gently babbling. I kiss her forehead, and stand, rocking her slightly. I'm more swaying, but in my three years of joyous motherhood, I've found it works. It worked Ezra. As I slowly lower her little sleeping self back into the crib and stand, my heart drops.
"Estelle?"
Romeo's groggy voice is like lighting in contrast to silence. I turn to the bed, where his head is slightly off the pillow. His messy hair and slightly shut eyes make me grin a little. He groans, "Stellie, why are you up? Was she crying? I could have gotten her-"
I lie back down beside him, and he pulls the cover over me. He yawns again, and I whisper, "It's fine, you've got your last meeting of the month tomorrow, and it's only been a few days since the start of September. I want you to be well rested for it. And also, I'm perfectly capable of making sure my own daughter is okay. You just go back to sleep."
"I wish you'd let me help," he mumbles. I kiss his cheek, and he lies back again. He mutters, "Once I finish the meeting, I'll come home, shower, and we can spend the week at your parents house."
"Yay, can't wait," I respond bitterly, my voice dry. Romeo laughs, his voice quiet. He turns over to face me, and whispers, "I know you hate the pressure, but you can't seriously think they're wrong with everything? We're purebloods, we're supposed to be good. You don't want to end up like Andromeda, do you?"
I shake my head. Andromeda. Andy. My little cousin. She made her choice, she needs to accept the consequences. It's her fault. Not mine, not my aunts, but hers. I didn't know she was in the relationship till she told the family, and by that point it was far too late to fix what she'd done. Romeo squeezes my hand, "And beside, you're happy, aren't you? If you weren't happy, I'd want to know. I'd want to help."
"I'm happy," I kiss his cheek, "But go to sleep, now."
Romeo doesn't protest. He rolls back onto his back, immediately snoring. I kiss his cheek one more time, before lying down myself. It's not like it's that bad going to see maman. And Father. I'll not be seeing Sirius, considering he's at school now, but other than that, I'll be fine. I'll just spend my time with Regulus if worse comes to worst. Just as I lie down and put my head on the pillow, I hear a faint cry. Great.
I wake up the next morning, to Romeo not being beside me in bed. As I check the alarm, I sigh inwardly. Nine thirty. He's at work. Slowly, I drag myself out of bed, and begin getting ready. I shower, get dressed, and do my make up, before picking up Charlotte. Ezra at this point opens my bedroom door, jumping up and down excitedly. He tugs on my dress, and grins, "Grand-mere and Grand-pere house today?"
I nod, stroking a hand through my hair. Ezra immediately bolts down the stairs, and I follow him into the kitchen. He pulls himself into his seat, where a house elf has already made his foot. I put Lottie in her highchair, and sit down, gratefully sipping the coffee a house elf puts in front of me. The little thing hands me a letter, and I take it, scanning over it.
To Estelle Elenora Glare,
I see maman has wrote then.
As you are aware, Sirius Orion Black was sorted last night. He's a gryffindor. Your idiot brother got himself sorted into the wrong house. All the family are joining us at the house. I know you were coming already, but had you decided you might try to get out of it, understand that you will not be doing that today. I expect to see you, Romeo, and the children at four o clock, no later. Do not use the excuses you always use. And I expect the children to be dealt with correctly if they are being loud. Now is not the time.
Walburga
Slowly, I lower the letter to the table. I take another sip of my tea. A gryffindor? Maybe the jokes I made about him being adopted are true. That would never happen, he looks like a little boy version of Bellatrix and I. But a gryffindor? He's a naughty kid, but he's not stupid. Ezra bangs his hands on the table, and I look up, my eyes slightly wide, my eyebrows raised. I ask, "Is there any reason you're banging your hands on the table like a zowou?"
Ezra glares, "I am not a zouwo!"
"Use your words then," I tap his chin gently, "You're a pureblood boy, you need to use your words."
Ezra thinks for a second, before asking, "Why are you reading a letter?"
"Well, your grand-mere just sent me a letter regarding Uncle Sirius," I turn the letter over in my hands, "Just letting me know how he's getting on at school and how saying how excited she is to see you! She can't wait to see you and Lottie."
I bite the inside of my mouth. Ezra is going to find out what has happened eventually. I might just explain it in a more child friendly way before we get there, to be honest. He doesn't need to know the ins and outs of family drama at the ripe age of three.