Chapter 3
“Oi! Eli-where are you?!” Rue rapped sharply on her brother’s door. “Mother wants ta’ see your outfit for the court case. Hey, you in there?!”
“I’m coming in!” She called, gripping the doorknob. “I don’t want ta see you naked, so if you’re changing- please end your mute phase and tell me if you’re changing.”
“I’m not.”
Rue walked into the room, sighing as she saw the mess covering nearly all of the floor space.
“I don’t.” Elio was lying on his bed, shaggy red hair spreading out underneath him.
“What?” Elio sits up, and as he does, his eyes adopt the sadistic glint that frightens so many people. But not his sister, she loved him too much to be scared of him.
“That’s the answer to both of your questions.”
“Aw, my little brother is becoming a mind reader!”
His cheeks flush, smirking despite the obvious embarrassment on his face. “No- you’re just becoming easier to read.”
Rue pouted, smiling up at him. “I’m proud of you.”
This time Elio’s expression matched his blush. “He-hey! You can’t just say that out of nowhere! Like, have some tact and build up the moment or something.”
“Yeah, well… it’s that or ‘I love you’. Either one sounds like something bad is going to happen. But that last one especially.”
Rue hugged him tightly, her chin just barely able to fit over the top of his head.
“Oh- I remember when this was a so much more comfortable position.”
Elio nuzzled his head into the crook of her shoulder, smiling as his older sister sighed comfortably. Her green sweater scratched his arms, and some of his hair was in her face. But her arms fit perfectly around him, and she was always cold (Contrary to his younger sibling’s belief, he actually did like that her hands were cold). Elio couldn’t care less. Sure, they were both a little uncomfortable, but the amount of love transmitted in the hug was worth it.
Elio didn’t want to let go. Now or forever. But he did.
“You want ta go give your outfit ta Mother? I’m sure she’ll be able ta tailor it for you.”
He grunted, before muttering, “Annnd she had to ruin it with talking about Mother.”
She flicked his forehead lightly before ruffing her brother’s hair. Which then ensued a string of curse words Rue would not want him to say anywhere within the next country of Pheobe and Robin, but she just laughed it off this time. “Pro tip: If you’re trying ta insult people- do it when the door is closed.”
“Like you’d be a pro at insulting people…”
“Hey, you don’ know how much trouble I got dragged inta in my heyday.”
“Your heyday was my heyday! I’m only two years younger!”
“Hmmmm. That’s why you’re so mature?”
“Sh-shut up.”
“I’m assuming you’re going ta wear this crusty thing?” She held up a more-than-slightly too short pair of robes, glancing back and forth between her brother and this monstrosity.
“So?”
“SO?!Oh my go- Nope! I’ll get Cassiopeia to knock some shit inta you.”
He slid in front of the door, muttering another string of curses as his older sister- even with all of her 5’11” body- ducked underneath him.
“Actually, I can beat the shit inta’ tha’ thick brain of yours just fine on my own. Lemme just go get ta’ frying pan- “
“RUE!”
Said girl laughed, leaning against the door frame. Her eyes grew stormy, sighing as she pushed off and closed the door behind her. She straightened and set her hands on his shoulders, meeting his eyes.
“We need ta’ talk.”
Elio brushed her hands off his shoulders, smirk disappearing when his sister’s gaze remained heavy.
“Something come up with the case?”
“No. Not ta’ case. Pheobe.”
“Pheobe?! Did sh-”
“Yes. Elio. She did it.” Rue covered her face with her hands, thumping down on the bed. “Oh, Pheobe. She did it. We weren’t able to able to protect her. OH- Elio… we promised. To protect them. Why, why? She doesn’t know it but she nearly died! Maybe I’m overreacting because I stayed but last night to take care of her, but you didn’t hear her. She was mumbling about not wanting to die. About being sorry, not trusting someone. She cried.”
Elio put his arm around Rue. “If we failed, there is not “I” in “we”. We tried, Rue. Now all we can do is support them.” Elio could do his Rue. He couldn’t do the younger ones. They got annoyed with him. Or scared of him. Or indifferent. God, they didn’t deserve it. Not at all.
***
“Oof- Eli! Put me down!” Robin shrieked loudly, his voice echoing around the front hall.
“Yeah! Put him down you meanie!” Pheobe stepped on Elio’s foot, hard.
“Ow! Stop stepping on my foot, you little demon!” Elio promptly dropped his brother, watching in satisfaction as the two youngest siblings let out yells of exclamation as Robin landed on Pheobe.
“Hey now, let’s not do this at this time.” Cassiopeia watched her siblings bickering, eyes glaring, and arms clenched. Elio warily watched her.
‘What’s got her so twisted?’
The doors slammed open as Rodolfus strode in, Bellatrix barely a step behind. He glared in displeasure at the scene before him, before turning to his wife.
He was dressed up formally, wearing a traditional wizard’s robes. They were a pastel green with forest green accents. It felt strange to the children to see him without the drunken flush that usually occupied his cheeks.
He held out his arm cordially to Cassiopeia, which she stiffly took.
Bellatrix stiffly held out her hands to Pheobe and Robin which they clutched excitedly and shyly, respectively.
They apparated away without another word.
***
The ministry of magic was a sight to behold, whether you were there for work or for a summoning. Dazzling gold engravings covered the walls, giving the government building a sparkling feeling. It was beautiful, nothing like the abandoned sewer system it started out as. Beautiful fountains and benches littered the area, however nobody sat on them for long.
Letters and paper airplanes flitted above, parchments of all shapes and sizes floating above. They flew in different groups, like rivers and streams tracing their way to the ocean. It was a beautiful and memorizing sight, but Bellatrix’s hand kept Pheobe from stopping and staring at the beautiful collage before her.
A particular fountain stood out to Pheobe; the golden figures seemingly strange. One was a centaur, the next an elf, who was on top of a goblin. They were all hiding behind a wizard, whose face was molded into one of concentration. There was a troll looming over the four creatures, seemingly hit by an invisible spell that the wizard had cast.
Pheobe felt a feeling of revulsion as she looked at these characters. She couldn’t explain why exactly this was, but she just needed to fix it. Or smash it.
She bit her lips and looked up at her mother, who had followed her daughter’s gaze to the fountain. She seemed to be gazing upon it with something akin to pride. Pheobe didn’t know what her mother was thinking, but she did not like it.
How could these people allow such ugly things in their work and feel such pride in it? And they continued to ignore these beautiful feats that they have accomplished? Was it no longer extraordinary that they had seen it so many times?
As Pheobe looked around her, it reminded her of the town of Reality in The Phantom Tollbooth. They kept going and forgot what it was like to stop and appreciate the world around them. Heads down, eyes straight.
Yes, that was it.
They couldn’t take joy in it as it was now a background. Not a work of art (if it could even be called that). Not a strategically constructed sewer system turned city. Not even a place to go and enjoy work.
Pheobe was herded into an elevator, the gates closing behind them with a soft click. She tapped Robin shoulder excitedly before pointing at the paper airplanes. Bellatrix practically snapped her daughter’s wrist back to her side, but the brunette couldn’t care less.
“They followed us into the elevator!” Pheobe whispered, a delighted smile on her face. Rue smiled at her fondly.
Soft chuckles echoed around the elevator at her comment, making Pheobe’s cheeks burn.
Floor after floor went by, with more and more people and airplanes getting out.
In the end, it was just the family of seven, three airplanes, and a tall man in blue robes.
As they all stepped out onto the last floor, Pheobe was taken aback by the difference in styles when comparing this floor to the next. The sparce windows were stormy and grey, a stark contrast to the rest of the system. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all glossy black tile. Pheobe shivered as a gust of cold air greeted them from somewhere down the passage.
The man in blue robes stiffly moved around the family, before striding down a hall and turning sharply into a doorway.
Rodolfus calmly walked ahead, head straight and eyes level. He led the group through winding pathways and strange rooms until at last they reached the courtroom. The children broke off, as they made their way to the spectator seats.
There were a handful other spectators in the audience. One was an old lady with a wildly outlandish kind of style, exotic furs and pelts covering every inch of her. She eyed the siblings with distaste.
The next was a young boy, about Pheobe’s age. He was clutching the old lady’s arm. They were presumably related. He seemed to be scared of the children.
Pheobe flinched as the boy gazed fearfully at her.
‘Ouch.’
Cassiopeia glanced to the side, noticing Pheobe’s soft exhale. She glanced at the boy and the looks he was trading her sister. She put her arm around the young girl and turned her head to look into the grandmother’s eyes.
“Cassiopeia Lestrange. How may I help you and your grandson?”
The lady’s lip curled. “You’ve done your research, haven’t you girl.”
Cassiopeia continued to stare. “Yes. I would have been a bad daughter if I did not look into the situation that my mother had gotten herself into.”
“Will your siblings be at the stand?” At this, Cassiopeia turned her head away to where the Wizengamont Members were walking in.
“Perhaps, perhaps no-“
“Get to the point girl! Your parents tried to kill my son and daughter in law beyond repair. We are not here for idle talk nor is this a walk in the park.
We are in a murder trial. Act like it.”
Cassiopeia twitched violently. “I ask that you keep your hatred for our parent separate from that of your dislike of us. Hate me if you wish, ma’am. But please do not make assumptions about my younger siblings who were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Pheobe spoke up for the first time since stepping in the court.
“The trial is starting.”