Christmas
23rd December 1971
Grimmauld Place or the Noble House of the Blacks was majestic.
It had a tall, imposing and statuesque presence. I, along with my parents and Irene stood at the doorstep, right outside the heavy old-fashioned door. Walburga Black had invited my family over for Christmas or... Pre-Christmas dinner as the Christmas eve isn't until tomorrow.
The door opened not after long and there stood Orion Black, Walburga's husband, with his wife alongside her and a little boy near Walburga Black's legs.
It wasn't Sirius. It was Regulus. Sirius' younger brother. Sharing the same haughty look, Regulus was shorter than Sirius. His hair was shorter too and was rather mildly less handsome than Sirius. I have met Regulus before a few times at parties and gatherings and he was much more admissible than that stupid Gryffindor.
The Blacks had been inviting my family over for Christmas dinner every year. But I never bothered to accompany Mother, Father and Irene. But this year, Mother had informed sternly that Walburga Black requests my presence this year by hook or crook. If I and Black were of age, I swear to Merlin these people would've forced us into a marriage.
As both our families greeted one another, I noticed the absence of Black.
I had spotted him boarding the Hogwarts Express when Christmas break began. Why wasn't he here then? I tip-toed to peek farther into the house.
"Y/n! Searching for Sirius?" I hope the sound she made was a laugh. I wasn't 'searching' for him. I was just wondering if they threw him on the streets yet. "He's upstairs. I clearly told him to get ready but- SIRIUS BLACK, ARE YOU COMING DOWN OR NOT?!" She yelled towards the staircase.
No response.
"You really got hots for a Gryffindor?" Irene's tone was full of disdain. "Oh just keep ignoring me like you do at school." I hissed.
Ever since the term had started, I never talked to Irene at Hogwarts. She appeared to be ignoring me. So, I didn't bother to start any conversation either. She was perhaps too cool to talk to a first-year at school.
"Regulus, aren't you starting the term next year, eh?" Father said to Regulus as they walked in. I followed Irene into the house.
The Noble House of the Black was just how one would picture a pure-blood's residence to look like. It had a gloom circulating around. It was filled with old portraits, tapestries, dark magic and other expensive adornments. Orion Black was leading my family into the house with Regulus beside them but Walburga Black was still screeching Sirius' name from the foot of the stairs.
She then spotted me.
Walburga grasped my shoulder to stop me from walking in with my family. Puzzled, I lifted my head up at her.
"Y-y/n! Why don't you bring Sirius downstairs?" She sounded... desperate. "W-what?" I stammered, taken aback. "He didn't listen to you, I don't think he will be listening to me."
But despite my resistance, Walburga Black was pushing me up the stairs, her palms against my back while she walked behind me, thrusting me forwards. "Just go! You two are in the same year. You two are friends and may even- I mean, you are friends. So, he might be eager to meet his friend!"
I was the opposite of 'friend' for him.
But I didn't tell her that.
She pushed me till we had reached the fourth floor. There were just two door on this topmost landing. One was labelled as 'Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black'. So, it was evident that the other one was that of Sirius.
Positioning me right in front of the door of Sirius' bedroom, Walburga Black turned around on her heel. "Just bring him downstairs, okay?" And then she left.
What kind of mother was she? Sending a girl into her twelve-year old son's room alone. Well, she appeared desperate. I wonder why it was so.
My mother had appeared to be reluctant about coming year.
It was bizarre as she always used to be ecstatic about coming here. But that was the adults' business to deal with. I should do what I am supposed to be doing. I knocked gently on the door. "Open it." I nonchalantly said.
No response.
My knock and voice became a little rougher. "Open up, Black. Its me, Lierre." "I know." A yell erupted from the other side of the door. "That is exactly why I'm not opening."
I swear to Merlin, this boy- "Black, you either open the damn door or I snitch about the little pranks you pull at Hogwarts to your parents." I admonished him.
"You wouldn't dare." A sharp voice spoke. "Oh, I would." I smirked.
A minute of dead silence passed.
Black must've considered it as a bluff. I was about to give him a last warning when I heard the click of the doorknob being turned and the door swung open, revealing Black who was wearing ornate dress robes. It was evident that he was forced into these robes.
He overall looked the same as he does at school but his usual grin was turned into a scowl.
"I really hate you." His glare was sharp. "The feeling is mutual," I assured him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why have you even locked yourself in your room like a scaredy cat?"
"I'd rather get hit with a Cruciatus Curse than have a cute little Christmas family dinner with you." He clenched his jaw.
"Listen, I'm not elated having to see you outside school either." I rolled my eyes. "Yeah you'd probably prefer seeing your dear Snivellus outside school, won't you?" Black sneered. "At least he is right about you filthy Gryffindors." I hissed. "Shut it, you Snooty Snake." Black retorted.
"Just head downstairs, I'm not much invested in seeing a family drama unfold. Your mother is furious." I rolled my eyes and turned to the stairs. "Besides, if I were a snake, you'd be the first person I'd want to bite and poison."
Though evidently reluctant, I could sense Black following me.
"Well, one chance and you'll be my first victim of the Cruciatus Curse." Black spoke as he tailed me down the stairs.
"A Cruciatus Curse is much desirable as compared to the set-up both our families are so keen on arranging." By this time, it was evident that our parents were trying to set us up. Before Christmas, Walburga Black had two letters to me. One was a request (instruction) to keep Black under surveillance and the other inviting me for this Christmas dinner.
I had responded to the first one saying that since Black is in Gryffindor, we rarely see one another. Hence, its hard monitoring him.
In reality, I didn't want to waste my time on that idiot.
We had reached the foot of the stairs.
"And I'd rather die single than live one day as your husband." I could sense him grimacing and mocking a retch from behind me. "As if I'd ever want to marry a filthy Gryffindor like you." I snapped.
"Likewise! I'm never marrying someone who's as stuck-up as you!" Black exclaimed. "If I am stuck-up, then, you are an uncouth git. I've seen how you behave at Hogwarts!" I snapped.
"If we are talking about how we behave at Hogwarts, should I remind you of the type of company you keep? Snivellus? Really?" Black retched again. I was about to rebut with a snarky reply but we had reached the door leading to the kitchen.
"Let's just go inside. I can't stand you." I rolled my eyes and was about to open the door. But Black was faster than me to reach the door-knob.
"As if I am dying to be with you." He talked back.
Anyone would expect a boy raised in the family of pure-bloods to be a gentleman and hold the door open for the girl. But Sirius Black was the polar opposite of it. He did not only open the door for himself and go in, he also had the audacity to slam the door shut on my face.
This bitch-
I hope Severus pulls more pranks on him.
Pretending to be unfazed, I opened the door and stepped in. Closing the door after myself, when I turned to the people, I witnessed a peculiar and unusual silence. As Irene had told me, usually these dinners are filled with chatters by our mother and Walburga Black. But today, there is an awkward silence lingering in the air.
"Ah! Y/n! Sirius, why didn't you hold the door open for her? What did I teach you?" Walburga spoke as Black climbed onto the empty seat beside Regulus. "She has her own hands." He curtly said.
Walburga's nerve must've clicked as she looked like she was about to say something. So, I spoke before she could. "Its fine, Mrs. Black."
I settled onto the unoccupied seat beside Irene and across Black.
I noticed that though the dinner had been served, no one had started eating. "We were just waiting for you and Sirius." Walburga said. "Since everyone is here, shall we start the dinner?" Mr. Black suggested. But before anyone could assent, Black had already started to dig in. "Sirius!" Walburga's tone was sharp enough to cut through iron.
"Its fine, Walburga, he must be hungry." Though Mother's words were sweet, the jeering tone and the look of condemn spoke something else.
Ever since Black had been sorted into Gryffindor, Mother's nagging for me to be 'friends' with him has stopped. I'm not a moron. I'm well aware that the reason behind this is that Black does not top Mother's list of potential suitors for me anymore. She definitely would despise having a Gryffindor as a son-in-law in a house full of Slytherins.
Pure-bloods are certainly something else to already think of this for their eleven year old daughter.
Walburga didn't say anything.
"Let's start the dinner." Mr. Black said, his eyes censuring Black. Everyone slowly started to eat, Orion and Walburga Black continued to try to engage my mother in a conversation but she did not appear much interested.
"Y/n, so, how's our Sirius at school?" Orion Black asked me after failing to strike up a conversation with Mother. I had to gulp down some water to prepare myself to answer this. "He is..." I glanced at Black who was eyeing me from across the table.
I can tell him the entire truth an watch the drama unfold.
But I really don't want anymore drama here. It'll be so awkward.
I sighed. "Well, I don't really see him much . We don't share classes. I only see him during Potions and during Potions he is...okay." Sirius raised a brow, evidently surprised that I didn't describe him as the spawn of Satan. He was the spawn of Satan. But I just want to go home without anymore drama.
"Oh right. you don't share classes," Mr. Black nodded slowly. "Not your fault, Y/n, our deplorable son was the one who got himself sorted into another house. That too Gryffindor."
"First Black in over five hundred years who has been sorted into another house. That too Gryffindor." Walburga Black scornfully hissed. "Though, being sorted into a different house doesn't really matter. What matters is that he's still a Black." She spoke as if she hadn't sent Black a Howler the day after the Sorting Ceremony.
"Yes, he spent his birthday amongst his cousins and now Christmas with us." Mr. Black was obviously trying to convince Mother.
"Indeed. Sirius himself is devasted that he was sorted into Gryffindor. He really doesn't want to be there." Walburga Black's words made me want to scoff.
"Yes, who would be happy to be sorted into that abhorrent house over Slythe-"
"I never wanted to be in Slytherin." Black interjected his father while playing with his food with his spoon. My entire family was alarmed. Regulus on the other hand looked like he witnesses this often.
"What did you say, Sirius?" Mother dared him to repeat.
Black lifted his head that was being hung over his plate and looked directly into my mother's eyes. "I said I never wanted to be in Slytherin." He gravely said. Mother looked taken aback. So did Black's parents. "Take back your words, Sirius." Mr. Black demanded.
"I can't put the words back into my mouth, can I?" Black gave a snarky retort.
"Sirius!" Walburga raised her voice.
"Being sorted in a different house and the company you keep does effectively affect one." Mother derisively said. "No, Medora, Sirius is just- He is just not well." Walburga furiously glared at Black.
"I am completely fine." Black rebuked. "Sirius, shut your mouth!" Mr. Black reprimanded.
Black hung his head over his plate again. "You say it as if what I said is wrong. I never wanted to be in Slytherin. I'm a proud Gryffindor." Black mumbled.
Mr. Black's patience snapped. "Not only did you get sorted into another house. That too Gryffindor. You now have the audacity to be proud of it?! Moreover, don't think I haven't seen the Gryffindor banners and scarlet and gold stuff in your room. I want them taken down before you leave for Hogwarts again and those round plates that make muggle music play. Either you discard them or I will burn all of them down."
My family sat there stunned as we watched this Black family drama unfold. I desperately want to be out of here.
"I won't!" Sirius jumped to his feet.
"You-" Mr. Black looked like he was about to disown his elder son right then but Walburga interrupted. "Go to your room, Sirius. NOW." "As if I wanted to be here at the first place." Black dragged himself off the chair and out of the room without giving any of the people present another glance.
His father was glaring at his leaving figure, breathing heavily. None spoke for a few moments.
"I think we should leave, Walburga." Mother calmly said. Walburga appeared to be about to stop her but probably decided against it. "I am ashamed of Sirius' behaviour, Medora." "You better be." Mother derisively replied.
Walburga evidently did not relish receiving this reply from Mother but did not word it out. Though her face screamed it. "I am, Medora, I am. Just don't let this one dinner influence the arrangement negatively. Sirius behaves better. He mustn't be feeling well tonight."
We all knew what 'arrangement' she was referring to.
"There is no need to see us out." Mother ignored Mrs. Black's other words and rose from her seat. Father stood up too, while carrying Mother's purse and we tailed her out of the room. The Black weren't much in the mood of a warm goodbye either. I mouthed a 'bye' to Regulus who had finally lifted his head when we were leaving.
Regulus nodded in response.
Once we had exited the Black's house. Mother exhaled sharply and turned to me.
"Y/n, there's no need for you to try to befriend Sirius." She curtly said. My eyes widened at the gravity of the statement. She must've made tis decision after monitoring Black's behaviour tonight.
It meant the arrangement was called off...
Why did I feel relieved and yet... empty?