Chapter 10
Estelle is feeling a mixture of emotions as she sits in her train compartment. She is sad that she won’t be seeing her brother for two weeks and seeing her friends very little. She is apprehensive about being around her family but excited to officially meet her older cousins. And lastly hopeful to see her grandmother.
Regulus went off somewhere during the train ride, most likely to snog his boyfriend and she hasn’t seen Sirius or his group of Gryffindor’s today either. Now she is enjoying the calmness of the Slytherins compartment. Happy to listen to Pandora humming a sweet melody while she knits, Dorcas’s book pages flipping and Evan and Barty squabbling quietly in the corner.
After Estelle wakes up from a nap that was however long she realises Regulus’s insistent tapping on her shoulder.
‘Okay I’m awake now, what do you want?’
‘We need to say a proper goodbye to Sirius before the train stops.’
Nodding in agreement Estelle slowly gets up adjusting to the different position.
When entering the new cabin, she is immediately attacked by her brothers overly excited and aggressive hug. Hoping he didn’t crack any ribs she breaks away and sits next to Regulus. Finally looking at her oldest brothers she notices the blatant worry across his face.
‘Sirius we will be fine stop stressing.’
“Stop stressing how can I not stress when!’ ‘Reggie is getting the dark mark’ he ends in a whisper
‘It’s not your issue to be stressing about’ Regulus states
‘Well make sure to use the mirrors regularly and if you need anything and I mean anything I am just a floo away.’ Sirius states looking on the verge of tears or a mental breakdown. The Slytherins just nod not bothering to argue.
The train ride calms down afterwards soon ending with a mix of Gryffindor’s, Slytherins and a singular Ravenclaw crammed into a cabin talking happily amongst themselves.
…….
When the train reaches the 9 and 3/4 platform Estelle braces herself for the two weeks ahead. Regulus and herself walk out together placing on the perfect pure blood features. The one that makes them look like rich snobs which she supposes isn’t too far off. She is not surprised though to find Kreature the house elf waiting for them and not her parents from what Regulus has told her. The trio quickly leaves the station in a whirl apparting to the formidable Grimmauld Place.
Entering the dark and gloomy house a chill runs down Estelle’s back though she does well to hide her fear. Her bags quickly disappear upstairs due to Kreatures magic while Regulus nods to the drawing room where she assumes her parents are waiting.
Entering the space the icy energy follows as the room has no colour except for grey and of course Black. Even her parents wear formal dress robs in only black looking like they just got back from a funeral. Her mother seems to have a permanent scowl etched onto her face as she sits straight as a pole in her chair sipping tea gingerly. Her farther though has seemed to not even notice his children’s presence and continues to read his newspaper.
‘Mamam, Papa’ they greet in unison awaiting further instruction
‘Children how was the train ride’ their mother asks
‘Fine thank you’ Regulus answers, changing her focus she looks at Estelle seemingly assessing her presence.
‘I am glad to not have heard any more incidents about your little fits nor do I expect to hear any more you understand me.’
‘Yes, Mamam I apologise’
‘Well, you have time to make up for it at the Yule ball where I expect you both to be on your best behaviour. Especially you Estelle as you will be newly seventeen, I expect you to be open to all suitors. You will have a dance lesson tomorrow to prepare.’
Her birthday, honestly Estelle has been dreading it and purposely ignoring the occasion. As, turning seventeen in a pure blood family as a girl means one thing, marriage. Estelle would rather die than be married so she hopes all the quote-on-quote suitors die in the war so she can stay single forever. Is that insensitive, maybe but who cares desperate times call for desperate measures.
‘Yes Mamam’ She replies instead. The pair are then dismissed, and they silently walk up to their bedrooms. Estelle is about to enter hers when Regulus pulls her into his room.
‘It’s your birthday tomorrow.’ He whisper shouts
‘Yes’
‘Why didn’t you say anything.’
‘Well, I was a little preoccupied plus I don’t really care about it, it’s the day before Yule Im getting presents anyways.’
‘Well, we are still going to celebrate’ he says letting go of her arm
‘Whatever’ she says flippantly turning around to go back into her room.
……
Her birthday is nothing overly dramatic, but Regulus does try to make it special. After her annoyingly long and unnecessary dance lesson she found Regulus in her room with his two-way mirror on a stand and Sirius’s face on the other side. Regulus was able to convince Kreature to make her a cupcake and her siblings sing her happy birthday very, very quietly.
Although Estelle supposes it’s the thought that counts and Regulus defiantly put thought into the occasion. Working around a truly crap situation. During the celebration she even saw Sirius tear up a little from what emotion she doesn’t know but his shedding of emotions nearly made her tear up. Nearly.
……
Tonight is the Yule celebration which sadly means Estelle is forced into an overly tight Black and green dress. The dress itself is very pretty but Estelle is not excited about the gawking reactions it’s going to create. Her hair has been curled in tight ringlets and tied into a half up half down.
Her cousins and Aunt and Uncle seemed to have just arrived from the sounds of Bellatrix’s cackle floating up the stairs and into her room. Estelle takes a deep breath (well as deep as she can in this thing) and goes to leave her room and join everyone downstairs. Walking gracefully down the stairs she notices Regulus’s absence immediately. She then notices Narcissa’s beautiful light green dress that compliments her wavy blonde hair. The witch really is the opposite of her family being the true star amongst the darkness. Bellatrix in comparison is in all black and has her wild curls in a messy version of her own hair. The witch seems to be in a deep conversation with Estelle’s mother and obviously trying to stand as far away from her husband who is on the opposite side of the room.
When Estelle reaches the bottom of the stairs all the rooms occupants heads swivel to stare at her. Not missing a beat though she bows her head and says clearly.
‘Well met Family.’ Choosing a slightly more informal greeting as they are related.
Bellatrix reveals her wicked smile and saunters over to her.
‘Cousin, it has been too long, you are so grown up now.’ Whilst greeting her she pulls her in the direction of Narcissa and the girls make a small triangle formation separating themselves from the larger group who have seemed to go back to their normal conversations.
‘You look stunning Estelle.’ Narcissa compliments ‘I cannot believe you are already seventeen, what a splendid age to be, so many new endeavours you can experience.’
Estelle quickly picks up on the code her cousins are talking in, deciphering ‘new endeavours’ as ‘possible engagements’.
‘Yes, well everyone has been so welcoming concerning my transition to Hogwarts I nearly forgot about my coming of age.’ She replies as Narcissa nods in thought (Meaning; I completely forgot that me being seventeen meant that I was going to get married off)
‘Well, I do hope you enjoy yourself as Yule is such a great time to dance with people within our honourable and noble circle.’ (meaning: Be careful who you dance with because it might affect who you marry, and this includes family members)
‘Yes, I conquer being newly seventeen is truly magnificent I remember my coming out ball where the first person I danced with became my husband.’ Bellatrix laments making the importance of picking a dance partner very clear.
‘Well sadly I am not having a coming out to society ball because of the time of the year but I will make sure to enjoy the dancing that the Yule ball permits.’ She replies receiving a satisfactory smile from her cousins.
Soon Regulus makes his way down the stairs and the other sacred 28 families enter the house truly beginning the chess game that is a pure blood party.
……
For a while the party is fine, she is being polite to nosy wizards and witches about her whereabouts throughout the past decade and been able to dodge suitors with her cousins and brother’s help. Although looking at her mother she can tell that she is growing annoyed and Walburga Black being annoyed is not good for anyone.
Estelle starts to look around the room as inconspicuously as she can trying to find someone that she can dance with that her mother will approve of and won’t make her want to throw up. Most of the attendees are blood family so that cuts almost half of the options but she soon a blonde boy her age catches her eyes, she smiles in completion. Sauntering over she forms a plan to try and convince Evan Rosier to dance with her.
Hopefully Walburga will see the dance partner choice as a friendly decision and not a marital prospect and will calm down about Estelle talking to suitors. Win, win. Although as she reaches the teen a truly magnificent thing occurs and the doors to the ballroom swing open and steps forward her grandmother. Perfect timing honestly.
The witch looks exactly as she left her with fully black dress robes on and a death stare planted on her face that could make the dark lord himself run away. Everyone goes silent even the music stops to turn and stare at the oldest member of the Noble and Most ancient house of Black. People give a respectful bow or curtesy while her son Orien Black steps forward to take the witches hand. Of course, she does not take it and instead waves him off and stares at everyone in a way of saying mind your business and continue. So, they do of course, and the music begins, and everyone starts to dance once again.
The witch says something icily to her son and the Wizard seems to walk off with his tail between his legs. Her grandmother walks away briskly to the other side of the room and sits at an empty side table that Estelle was certain was not their moments ago.
‘Ms Black your grandmother has requested your presence at the table.’ Estelle smiles at the house elf’s announcement and as quickly as possible without being improper walks towards her grandmother. It also seems that the Witch asked for her brother and cousins’ presence as they are already sitting around the table. When Estelle takes a seat, her grandmother casts a silencing charm and finally regards her family.
‘Hello children you all look very splendid.’
‘Grandmother.’ They say in unison bowing their heads slightly.
‘Oh, stop without nonsense I just wanted to say hello I have heard such wonderful things about you throughout the years and I wanted to put faces to names. Bellatrix I am sorry I could not attend your wedding but congratulations I will hopefully be able to make yours Narcissa.’
‘Oh, it’s quite alright.’ Bellatrix mumbles
‘It would be an honour.’ Narcissa blushes
‘I want you three to know that you are always welcome at my home if you ever need a break from the busy streets of London.’
‘Thank you’ the three reply. Estelle just smiles happily to herself
‘Truly you are all welcome, I insist you all come and visit during the summer holidays I will teach you true French culture.’ The group all nod in agreement before they are all dismissed bar, Estelle.
‘Happy birthday my girl.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I hope your mother has not forced a man upon you yet.’
‘No, I might be in the clear thanks to your perfect timing.’
‘Well, what can I say, anyway I must be off I need to speak to my children and your mother in private.’ The elder witch leaves the table and soon leaves the ballroom with her sons and Walburga Black in toe.
Luckily with her mother’s disappearance Estelle is free from having to dance with anyone and spends the rest of the night talking with her cousins.
…….
Estelle is in her favourite room of the house – the library. She and Regulus have been reading through the gigantic collection that is the Blacks dark arts books. Somehow none of these books so far have given them many clues on anything.
‘What are we even looking for?’
“Ugh I don’t know clues, something to help us destroy Voldemort.’ Regulus says snapping his book closed dramatically. They both sit in comfortable silence thinking about their individual issues. Although Estelle is nervous about what the night will bring and needs to know how Regulus is feeling.
‘Are you ready for tonight.’
‘I don’t think I will ever be truly ready.’ Estelle nods in understanding feeling the nervous energy radiating off her brother in anticipation of tonight. Tonight, being the night that Regulus Black receives the Dark Mark. They soon go back to useless study that sadly doesn’t get them anywhere and then as quick as a blink Kreature apparats into the room with news that Regulus must get ready to receive the mark.
Estelle is lucky that she has been instructed to stay in her room for the night but that does not stop her from feeling ill about what is going to be done to Regulus. Excessively thinking about what the vial creature that is Tom Riddle will do to him because of a stupid war.
Estelle is unable to sleep but only leaves to go find Regulus when the sun shines through her window. Although, she does not find Regulus in his room but instead in the library with a bandage around his forearm and a book in his hand.
‘What are you doing?’ she asks worriedly
‘Estelle, I got it.’
‘Yes, I know you got it, how are you feeling.’
‘No not the mark I mean the answer.’
‘What do you mean?’
“Well before I got the mark I was sadly talking to Lucius, and he of course was bragging about being trusted to protect a powerful and very dark artefact that Voldemort deems of high importance. Then Bellatrix saunters over and she says the same thing and says that Lucius really isn’t that special. Which true but I digress, when I got the mark, I noticed a locket around Tom’s neck that was radiating so much dark magic it felt like I was drowning. Which made me think back to a childhood memory about dark artefacts and then I remembered about our parents telling me about horcruxes!’ he finishes seeming to be a bit out of breath.
‘Horcruxes, you mean the things that trap someone’s soul to make them immortal that’s insane!’
‘Exactly but its Tom Riddle we are talking about and that explains why he looks so weird it’s because of his soul literally being torn into pieces.’
‘And you think Bella and Lucius has two of these horcruxes between them.’
‘Yes, the only issue is how we are going to get them and how many of them there actually are.’
‘Great more mysterious questions with no answers.’
‘Tomorrow, we go to Malfoy manor and get the horcrux.’
‘No tomorrow you rest and when you are better, we go to Malfoy manor.’
‘Estelle im fine.’
“No, you are not you are literally white as a ghost.’
‘Im French.’
‘White even for you.’
“Ugh fine whatever.’
Estelle after a long and repetitive argument convinces Regulus to take a nap and Estelle sends an owl to Narcissa asking to go to tea in two days.