The Hogwarts Letter
Three years later
On February 14th—the day of her eleventh birthday, Hyacinth sat quietly in the small classroom at Grimmauld Place, her heart fluttering with anticipation. Suddenly, Meadow swooped in through the open window and deposited a finely sealed envelope on her desk.
Sirius, already brimming with excitement from his earlier letter, practically bounced in his seat. “It’s here, Hyacinth! Your Hogwarts letter!” he shouted, his eyes wide with joy. Regulus, sitting beside her, managed a small, bittersweet smile. Though happy for his cousin, his eyes betrayed the quiet sadness of knowing that soon he might have to remain behind while she and Sirius would eventually leave for Hogwarts.
With trembling fingers, Hyacinth carefully broke the seal. As she unfolded the parchment, her gaze flitted between the elegant script and Regulus’s downcast eyes. For a long, silent moment, she simply stared at the letter—wonder, excitement, and a tender concern mingling on her face.
Sirius leaned over, grinning, “Can you imagine all the adventures waiting for us?”
Hyacinth’s smile was soft but determined as she replied, “I can’t wait to learn magic and be with my sisters again... But, Reg, don’t worry—we still have months before we go.”
In that quiet exchange, Hyacinth’s eyes met Regulus’s, and she gave him a gentle nod—an unspoken promise that they would stay close, no matter what. Professor Malcrow resumed the lesson, and the room filled with the subdued hum of youthful excitement. Yet, in Hyacinth’s heart, every word of the letter whispered dreams of a future brimming with magic, adventure, and the hope that their small, unbreakable bond would keep them together, even as they stepped toward new horizons.
-
After class, the ancient library of Grimmauld Place became their secret haven. The room was a labyrinth of towering oak shelves, leather-bound volumes, and forever flame candles that cast dancing shadows on the cold stone floor. In a quiet corner by a large arched window, Sirius, Hyacinth, and Regulus gathered around a small, timeworn table to share their hopes for the coming Hogwarts term.
Sirius, his eyes aglow with unbridled excitement, leaned forward, his unruly hair falling over his pale skin.
“Imagine it, Hyacinth! Hogwarts will be full of pranks, no bloody Walburga, and so much freedom. I can already picture us causing a bit of mayhem in those halls,” he exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat.
Hyacinth, her face composed in the polished manner of a Black yet sparkling with hidden delight, nodded shyly.
“I’m excited, too,” she said softly. “But I feel like I must keep it all inside, like a secret treasure I cannot let spill over.” Her words were measured, a calm mask hiding the whirl of emotions beneath. Beside them, Regulus sat quietly, a small, wistful smile on his face even as his eyes betrayed a loneliness he kept hidden.
He thought, One day, I hope I can have adventures like this, too… but for now, I’m just happy for you both. Yet even as he smiled, a quiet ache lingered, a secret wish to join their escapades.
The conversation flowed from wild dreams of broomstick races and pranks to recollections of recent games in the corridors of Grimmauld Place. Hyacinth recalled, with a bright laugh, how Sirius had nearly tripped while running away from Kreacher who had just met a face full of whipped pie, and how Regulus had burst into giggles so hard he nearly cried. Their laughter, soft and infectious, filled the room with a fleeting warmth that belied the rigid legacy they were born into.
As the chatter gradually subsided, Sirius and Regulus exchanged a conspiratorial glance. Without a word, they both rose from their seats. Sirius reached into his satchel and produced a delicate silver locket, its surface intricately etched with a cursive H and the whispered words, “Semper Simul.” He held it out toward Hyacinth with a wide, earnest grin.
“Happy Birthday, Cinthie,” he said, his voice tender yet brimming with excitement. “I hope this locket will remind you that no matter how far Hogwarts takes us, our bond will always keep us together.”
Regulus, his voice soft but laden with emotion, added, “Even if Hogwarts seems a world away, our hearts remain as one.” His eyes, though shining with joy for his cousin, were tinged with a quiet sorrow that only she could see.
The boys tugged on a chain that was tucked from under their shirts, the trio had matching sets of the necklace. Each with their letter engraved on the top.
Hyacinth reached out with trembling fingers and accepted the locket. As she gently opened it, a tiny enchanted portrait of the three of them, caught in a moment of shared mischief and laughter, glowed softly inside. For a long heartbeat, the library was silent, filled only with the sound of their mutual understanding. Hyacinth’s eyes shone with a promise—a promise that though the future might lead them on separate paths, the bond of family, the warmth of shared adventures, would remain forever.
Sirius put the necklace on for her, the trio all exchanging warm glances before piling onto each other for a group hug.