Gryffindors
Romeo, Lottie, Ezra and I walk into Maman's kitchen, where there is an influx of people. Maman, Father, Regulus, Aunt Druella, Uncle Cygnus, a few great aunts, distant cousins. The whole deal. I pick Ezra up onto my hip, and he instinctively rests his head on my chest. Romeo has an arm on my waist while he holds onto Lottie, who is fastly asleep. He hates the multiple people in a small room, and I can tell he's getting anxious. Regulus walks over. I smile tightly at him, and ask, "How has everything been before now?"
Reg just weakly shakes his head. He notions round the kitchen, at all our family, and sighs, "He's ruining our life, one house at a time. I mean, it's just... You all look like a proper little family."
I look at us. I'm in a long black dress, ruffles and bows as per usual. Romeo is in a suit, and so is Ezra. Sure its a child friendly suit, but still. Charlotte is in a childish, traditional pureblood dress, and the thought of having to clean it actually makes me feel a little sick. Romeo takes Ezra out my arms, holding both our kids on either side. I watch as he walks off, and look down at Reg. He looks distrusting of me, like I'm going to turn round and say I'm proud of Sirius. I run a hand through my hair, pushing it to the side, and sighing, "I don't think he's stupid like Andromeda, but this is a new low. I mean, he's acting like we don't all take sacrifices for the family and stuff. I love Romeo, obviously, but married and kids at sixteen is excessive. And you'll take sacrifices. He's the heir!"
Reg nods, immediately stiffening as Maman walks over. She kisses my cheek, without real love behind it, and asks, "How is Romeo? How are the kids?"
"We're all fine, Maman," I begin. At her sharp glare, i continue, "All extremely disappointed in Sirius, of course. I was just telling Regulus how childish he's been, and how selfish he is!"
"That boy is going to be the death of me," Maman spits, "I've already sent him a howler, and a letter, and so has his dad. I'm going to absolutely kill him, as is about every single person in this room! You need to write to him. He always listens to you, Estelle. Go into my office and write him a letter now. Understood or would you like it said in french?"
"Manan, that's-"
"I didn't ask you what it was I said, I understood myself perfectly," My maman points at the door, "I asked if you'd like it in french. Go and write him a letter right now, or I swear to Salazar I will be furious."
I don't need retelling. I scramble to her office, being careful not to touch anything. Maman has a tendency to put expensive things in reach of children and then get angry when said things are in reach of children. I sit down, picking up a quill, and writing.
To my dearest Sirius,
I'm not going to ask what you were thinking, because I imagine maman and father have already asked quite a few times in quite a few ways. Instead, I'm going to ask something else. Do you genuinely want to end up like Andromeda? I don't blame you if you do. I spent many nights in Hogwarts wondering if i should ever go home. You're lucky though. You will finish your education, and then go on to do great things. I want you to go far, Sirius. Clearly the sorting hat saw something in you. He would never have placed you in slytherin if it wasn't the best place for you. Ask Professor McGonagall to write to me about things you do rather than Maman, and I'll make sure she doesn't find out. Remember you still have Bella and Cissy as snitches, and next year you have Reg. You have an incredible opportunity. You're a pureblood heir to the Noble House of Black. You're smart. You're kind. You're incredible. Don't mess this up for yourself.
-stell
Regulus pokes open the door, his hair messed up a bit. I attach the letter to the owl on the windowsill, and watch as it flies off. Reg walks to stand behind me, whispering two, quiet words.
"I'm scared."
"Same.... same, Reg."
By the time everyone goes, Maman is too drunk to care about anything. Lottie is alseep on my lap, while Reg keeps Ezra entertained on the floor. I watch as Romeo and Father talk with my Uncle Cygnus, their voices too low for me to make out their whole conversation, but loud enough for me to hear bits.
"The dark lord-"
"Getting the mark-"
"People are going missing-"
"Correction, muggles are going missing, mudbloods-"
"I still think it's a risk, being a dad and then getting it while your kids are living with you-"
"It's an honour-"
"Druella and Estelle already think we're too openly political-"
I ignore the conversation. I wont change their minds, and I don't want to try. They're both absolute idiots, and as much as I love Romeo, he's as stubborn as anything. Reg is gently talking to Ezra in french. I'm not sure how much Ezra understands french, but its enough he can have a little conversation in french. So far it looks like he can grasp it the same, which is good. I lean back in the sofa, yawning. My maman looks over at me, and asks, "Do you want me to hold Charlotte?"
When I refuse, she takes her out my arms, holding her. She firmly pats Lottie's back, mumbling about pureblood nonsense in French. I watch her, as she gently strokes Lottie's face. I think she appreciated me having a girl, since it meant she got to see my little baby self basically again. While I'd never openly admit it, all I want is for my maman to say she's proud of who I am. To say she's proud of what I've done. To say she's proud of me.