enchanted (to meet you)

Sirius knew very well the land he had lived in his entire life. From the valleys to the meadows, to the villages his family ruled, to the very castle he lived in. Some might think it mundane, to know every little thing about the land he lived in, but in some idealistic way, it was all comforting. 

At least it was until he upset his parents. 

He hadn't exactly meant to do anything, there is only so much fun you can have fencing, and when he saw the soap bubbles from a mop one maid was using he just couldn't rid his mind of the idea. So here he was, with his best friends, running from a flooded corridor. He could just imagine his mother's face already, and though there was surely a price to pay he couldn't care. It was hilarious! 

When both James and Peter left him, he had finally found a place to hide, a conveniently placed suit of armour. Peter had it easier, being able to turn from a rat to a human on will, he had simply run into a hole in the walls of the castle. James on the other hand had fully run off a balcony, turning into a deer the moment his feet hit solid ground. 

Sirius was quiet as he listened to the voices reacting to the mayhem, chuckling to himself in glee. He had thought that he had a good hiding spot, but no one could hide from someone like Regulus Black, who had a scary tendency to know where everyone was at every moment.

Regulus had firmly grabbed the arm of his brother (still in the suit of armour) and led him swiftly away from the scene of the crime. They were in silence mostly, getting closer and closer to the apartments. Regulus pushed Sirius into his own room, giving him a stern look. 

“Mother is going to be upset.”

“It was all in good fun, Reggie! Harmless.” Sirius waved his hand, carelessly.

Regulus seemed to not care for fun. Harmless or not.

“You have half an hour, the ball has already started. People will notice if you're not there.”

“Do tell me, is it a fun kind of ball? Or mothers kind of ball?”

Regulus hummed, “Mother planned it, but the Lovegoods are here.”.

Sirius let himself smile again, and Regulus left the room, seemingly to go back to the ball. It wasn't long until his door opened again, this time James walked in, Peter still in his animagus form followed shortly behind.

“Wormtail went down, seems to be... lively.” James quietly closed the door behind the boys, he wasn't exactly supposed to be in Sirius’ room under his mother's orders, but they hadn't ever been one to follow those.

“More so than usual?” Sirius asked, birds had come to his room now after he gave a short whistle. They seamlessly helped him pick out his new outfit, handing him silk shirts.

“Mhm, it's unsettling. I kinda like it.”

“Only you would like something unsettling.” Sirius grinned as two bluebirds draped his cape over his shoulders, settling perfectly. “Shall we go down?”.

“Just you and Pete this time, supposedly people were shocked at a stag on the floor.”

“Huh, strange.”

“That's what I thought! I think your mother was just upset by it.”

“When is she not?” Sirius pushed back his hair, it settled nicely just like his cape. “Well Wormy, just you and me.”

And so they went.

*

Sirius could see from the very first glance that Walburga was angry, but she was keeping it under wraps, they had company after all. His parents were set up on a pedestal, two large, regal thrones sat side by side. There were two smaller seats behind them, one occupied by Regulus. Sirius made his way over, smiling at guests he knew, and stopping for one moment to kiss the hand of one of the ladies in his mother's court who had batted her eyelashes. 

By the time he had made it to his smaller chair, he could tell he had made Walburga angrier, the grip on the fan she held in front of her face tightened, as she gave him a look no one else could see.

He simply smiled back.

They had company after all.

“Best behaviour, we have someone very important coming tonight.”

“Of course, mother. Who exactly do you mean?”

“The Olivanders have decided to.. take us up on an offer. They are to stay for a few nights, I expect you to help their daughter.”

I expect... I demand... Really, what's the difference?

“Of course, mother.” He said with a tight smile, he didn't quite know what the deal was but knew it couldn't be good. He chose not to dwell on it.

The Black’s ballroom was probably the most gorgeous room in the entire castle, with high arched ceilings with intricate paintings of family members and constellations alike, the arches that stood in every corner of the room had minuscule details carved into them. Sirius could lose himself in the beauty of the room, but his favourite part was the ceiling. As a child, he was amazed by seeing everyone in his family's faces up there, their constellations or galaxies alike, but his favourite part had been the large bright moon painted right in the middle; keeping all of the stars orbiting around it. Since he was just a child Sirius would come to the ballroom and stare up at that painted moon when he couldn't sleep, it filled him with a sense of comfort for a reason he couldn't grasp and didn't try to. All he knew was he loved the moon.

He didn't feel all too strongly about the rest of the castle, it had always been surprisingly quiet and gloomy- more so after his Mother began her rule. He had spent a lot of time figuring out the best ways to escape it, and meet up with James and Peter around the forest’ nearby, spending his days doing things Princes really shouldn't do.

Sirius loved the ballroom, but it lost its comforting touch when there were so many people in it like there were now. There were many people, some dancing others mingling, and all dressed in expensive clothing. 

Sirius could make out a few families he recognised, the Shacklebolts and the Lovegoods, who were not regulars but had recently come to good terms with the family, had attended. The Notts and Rosiers who were on especially good terms with the family were also there, Sirius made a mental note to avoid them. There was one family he couldn't quite make out but seemed familiar, their hair was scarily similar to the Lovegoods but the way they carried themselves was different, more held together than the Lovegoods tended to be. When they started to make their way over to where his family was seated it clicked that they must be the Ollivander's. Everyone in the family shared similar looks, long white-blond hair, and soft eyes so brown you could barely see the pupil.

The older man, who Sirius had assumed was Eryx Ollivander a king in a nearby land, had stepped forward, smiling sweetly at Walburga, and bowing. Ever the one for appearances, his mother dropped the fan she had been holding and smiled back, bowing her head from where she stayed seated.

“Your Grace, thank you for your hospitality.”

“Of course, I hope the trip treated you well?”

“Surprisingly yes,” Eryx responded, standing tall. He was much taller than Walburga, and even more so in her chair, but Walburga had the sort of presence that loomed over even the strongest man. Eryx seemed to not feel threatened, Sirius hadn't decided if he was brave or just dense.

Although Walburga had on a sweet smile, reserved only for guests, her eyes were sharp and cold as she studied the family, her eyes lingering on the young girl who stood behind her father, “Eryx, this must be your daughter. Pandora was it?”. 

Pandora didn't look older than Sirius was at 24, but she had a youthful aura and it wouldn't surprise Sirius if she was often mistaken for younger. Her hair was to her waist and wavy, spare pieces framing her round face. She looked kind, but her eyes were sharp in a way that make him cautious. 

Pandora bowed to Walburga, smiling like her father had, “Your Grace, it's a pleasure to meet you.”. Like Walburga did not bow to Pandora but did offer a calculated smile at the girl. 

“Have you met my son? Sirius,” At the sound of his name, he rose from his chair, taking the three steps forward to be with the small group. It wasn't his first time meeting another royal, and he knew well enough what to do by now. He bowed to both the King and Queen, and then to Pandora, they returned the gesture. “I feel you two will have many things to talk about.”

At her words, in a perfect coincidence and song started up, and couples around the room danced in such a graceful way it was mesmerizing. Sirius let his eyes wander for a moment, and caught his mothers, who just nodded her head. Sirius offered his most charming smile to Pandora, before offering his hand, “May I have this dance?”. 

“Of course.” Pandora took his hand, and off they went into the crowd in perfect symphony. 

It was a simple waltz, Sirius could have done it with his eyes closed and perhaps he had not had the company he did he would've. Pandora seemed to be in the same boat, easily dancing to the beat of the music. 

“It is quite beautiful here.” Pandora was studying the ballroom as Sirius had for so many years.

“It's my favourite room in the palace, it's the most detailed.” Sirius nodded his head to the ceiling, “The stars are the best part, I do think.”

“They are truly something.” Pandora smiled at him, and she felt a bit like an old friend.

He spared a glance at his Mother, who was watching them with cold eyes, and he felt more disinterested in dancing with Pandora. While it was nice, and she was fun to talk to, all he wanted to do now was retire to his room and talk with James, or convince Peter to sneak them all out to his house and eat Mrs Pettigrew's famous apple pie- truly anything would be better than knowing his mother was watching his every move.

Just a few more hours , he reminded himself, only a few more hours .

*

Sirius was considering sneaking out to ask James to cause a distraction so he could just leave. 

The ball had wrapped up into the late hours of the night, and Sirius thought his mother (never fond of any company) would send them all away, instead, she offered a meal to the Ollivanders and now it was late and Sirius was still in his mother's company and not his friends. 

The cherry on top was his least favourite cousins had also decided to join them for dinner, which of course meant that his Aunt and Uncle would also be joining. It felt like a family reunion almost.

The Black family were on the left of the table, lined up by titles, Walburga at the head of the table and Orion at her side. The Olivanders were on the right, King Eryx directly opposite Orion, and next to Walburga, followed by his wife, two of his daughters, and then Pandora. The right side of the table looked extremely barren next to the Black’s side which was full. 

The conversation had been sparse, especially after Bellatrix and he had traded insults, but both quickly stopped as Walburga put down her glass with a bit too much force. Sirius picked at his food, looking around the dimly lit room at the shadow-covered faces of the usually bright Olivander family. They seemed nice, and Sirius knew their land was prosperous and they were greatly loved by their people, so he just couldn't figure out why they would be here. 

It wasn't that the land the Black’s ruled was bad, not at all, they were one of the biggest kingdoms and they had great wealth, it was just those in the inner circles who knew how Walburga was. She had been ruling for a long time, and once upon a time was a bit more sloppy with appearances. Sirius didn't know why someone as kind as the Olivanders would want to mingle with someone like them.

It was while he was pondering that, that his mother cleared her throat, the sound echoing off the walls in the quiet room. Everyone's attention switched to her, and there was a moment where she and Orion just looked at each other, it left Sirius feeling a bit uneasy. Walburga turned her head back to everyone, letting her eyes wander from each person, Sirius felt they lingered a bit too long on him. 

He really wished James and Peter were here.

Walburga had a smile on her face, it looked a bit strange there. “This seems as good of a time as any, especially since we have been graced with the presence of my dear brother Cygnus, and his family.”.

Sirius looked at his cousins, none of them looked very happy to be there. Bellatrix had been toying with her knife all night, and Sirius felt that was a bit his fault for provoking her, but at the same time he didn't feel too guilty about it. Narcissa just looked bored, but she sat tall and smiled back at Walburga, even though anyone close enough could tell how fake the smiles were. Andromeda wasn't even trying to hide her displeasure, Sirius caught her rolling her eyes and smiled. Andromeda was always his favourite.

“We have also had the pleasure of housing King Eryx, and his lovely family. It has been far too long since those from Dimarta and Leurrer have sat in the same room, much less for such an occasion.”.

Her words left Sirius confused, he looked around the table and it didn't seem much like anyone else had a clue what she meant. Sirius half wondered if she had finally lost her mind. The silence seemed to be her expected reaction, but she didn't say anything more.

It was Druella that spoke up, “What occasion do you mean, dear sister ?”.

Walburga gave her a sharp smile, she had never been too fond of Druella, and Druella never much liked her either. “King Eryx and I have come to an agreement, to strengthen our Kingdom and bring…” She looked at Sirius, eyes cold and dark, “...everyone happiness .”

Well, this certainly wasn't good.

“Sirius and Pandora are to be wed.”

Sirius felt himself stiffen, sitting straight up in his chair. Everyone had a similar reaction, except for the Ollivander’s. Andromeda had fully dropped her cutlery, a loud scraping noise following. Narcissa had lost her calm smile, her eyebrows had raised to her hairline, and Bellatrix was silently giggling, with a sort of maniacal smirk on her face. Druella had looked as if someone had thrown their drink in her face, and Cygnus (a man of few words, and fewer reactions) simply cleared his throat.

His mother had a pleased smile on her face, and Sirius didn't know how to feel about this all. He had always wanted to fall in love, true love, just like everyone else in his family, and the world. He looked at Pandora and he didn't feel… anything. Yes, she was kind and pretty, and the perfect example of someone a Prince should fall in love with, yet he felt nothing. Sirius wondered if this was how finding true love was, that later when he would look to Pandora he would feel it and know. He knew his mother and father had been introduced to each other on their wedding days, he wondered if they were each other's true love, they seemed to get on well enough. But was that true love? He knew how true love worked, he knew everyone had one, and that it was one of the greatest joys in life. He knew this. 

He looked at the family in front of him, King Eryx and Queen Alextrona looked happy, their hands were intertwined on top of the table, and they seemed happy about the idea of Pandora and Sirius. Sirius looked at his parents, they were not holding hands, he had never really seen them do anything that physically showed their love, but maybe that's why they were each other's true loves… neither of them liked love. Maybe this is how it is all supposed to work. Pandora and he got along well enough, like his parents, and when they danced there was no awkwardness like there sometimes was with new dance partners. Yes, surely this is how it all works. True love takes a while, he supposed. He had always thought when he met that person he could just look at them and know, but he was wrong. Pandora was nice and pretty, and Sirius was sure he could love her.

He told himself over and over that Pandora was someone he could love, but somewhere deep inside him, he knew there was something not quite true.

*

The moment Sirius stepped into his room hands were grabbing him and turning him around, he barely had a second to recognise James’ face before being pressed into the door, his best friend shaking him the tiniest bit as he asked “ You're getting married? !”.

James looked.. happy, it was a bit surprising. Peter was just behind him, and he looked a bit more concerned (Sirius didn't- know if he was concerned about the fact that James had him in a death grip or the fact that Sirius was getting married ). “Like actually married? Pete didn't mishear?”

“I don't think that's a phrase, Prongs,” Peter mumbled, Sirius noticed him picking at loose threads on his sleeves, Sirius could hardly blame him the whole situation was stressful.

“Oh hush! So what is she like? Everything you ever dreamed of? Did you ask her? How did she react?” James was asking a million questions per second, talking so fast Sirius couldn't interject, “How did it feel? Y’know, true love and all.”

James had a big goofy smile on, he had always been obsessed with the idea of true love, but he had grown up with parents who weren't afraid to show how much they cared for one another. James had been searching his whole life for that person, and just like Sirius had believed thought the second he laid eyes on them he would know. Sirius didn't really want to tell his best friend it wasn't like that at all, that there was no spark or magical moment, he was scared it would break his heart.

“It was…” Sirius looked from James’ hopeful eyes to Peter’s concerned ones, “ok.”

James' grip went loose on Sirius’ shoulders and his face dropped a bit, “Just ok?”. Sirius took the opportunity to walk away from the door, leaving James standing just in front of it, he walked past Peter and sat on his bed.

“Yeah, just ok.”

Peter and James shared a look while Sirius took off the red cape he had worn, he had always liked red, his mother hated it. The same birds that had earlier draped his beloved cape around his shoulders, came and collected it as he let it carelessly fall to the ground. Peter took a hesitant step forward, sitting on Sirius’ bed, giving him a bit of space.

“What happened?” Peter asked.

Sirius didn't quite have the words, he didn't exactly know what happened. “Mother just told us.”

“What, that your getting married? You didn't ask the princess?” James ask, he quickly walked and took a seat on the other side of Sirius, his expression had switched from joy to concern.

“Yes, well, no. Mother told us we were getting married, and no I didn't ask Pandora.” 

“See I told you,” Peter whispered to James, though it didn't exactly do much since Sirius was sitting in between them. James shrugged at Peter and put his hand on Sirius’ shoulder.

“So it wasn't true love?” James timidly asked.

“Well, maybe it will become true love.” Sirius shrugged, looking at James.

“Yeah.. that must be what will happen.”

It had to be, it was the only possible explanation.

*

As it had turned out, there was very little for him to do for wedding planning. It seemed everyone wanted to be involved, and on the insistence of the Olivander’s, even the townsfolk had contributed. With so many people it meant that just two days after meeting, Pandora and Sirius’s wedding was ready. In fact, there were only four more hours until the wedding.

There hadn't been much time for Sirius to spend with Pandora in between the whole preparing for a wedding thing, but he was sure the second they got to spend more time together he would feel it, the spark , the moment . He just needed a bit more time with her.

So that's exactly what he planned. It wasn't all that hard, he knew every inch of the castle and may or may not have had the help of a bewitched map, plus Peter and James are amazing distractions. All it takes is a wild stag running through the castle halls, and a rat in the kitchen to cause enough chaos for him to move around undetected and get to the room Pandora was staying in, in the tallest tower of the castle that had been dubbed ‘Rowena's’ after an old folktale.

He held his breath as he knocked, he didn't know exactly what he was going to talk to Pandora about, he was hoping when he saw her something would click. The door opened, and there she was.

Nothing clicked.

He felt absolutely nothing for her.

She leant on the door as she looked at Sirius, a surprised look on her face. “It is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, you do know.”. Her voice was soft and sweet, it matched her perfectly. Sirius couldn't understand why he didn't love her, why it wasn't coming. 

She was very pretty, with smooth light skin that seemed almost translucent, her eyes were round and doe-like, but the deep brown made her seem like she knew the secrets of the world. Her hair was wavy and so blonde it could be mistaken for white. It was so long it reached below her hips. Her face was chiselled but held something soft that made her seem comforting, maybe it was the natural rose on her cheeks. She was everything people thought of when they thought of a princess, and it should be so easy to love her, Sirius knows it.

He's starting to think something is wrong with him because he knows . 

“They also say true love conquers, do they not?” Sirius smiled at her, but it felt a bit strained.

“Hm, surely that means it cancels out, doesn't it?” Pandora smiled at him, “Would you like to come in?”

Sirius nodded, grateful, he was scared his mother would come by at any moment and see him at the door leading up to Pandora's room. Pandora let him in and led him up the spiral stairs to the very top of the tower, where there was a bedroom. It was luxurious by all means, but it was decorated in rich greens and blacks, making it look more like a prison than a room for a princess. 

Pandora sat on the ledge of the window, smoothing out her dress, it was a pretty silk green dress, the sleeves ruffled, “What is it you came here for?”. 

Sirius stayed standing, looking around the room, “Well, we haven't had time to talk. I just wanted to know you.”

“And what would you like to know?”

Sirius felt a bit uncomfortable, he wished Pandora would make this easier for him. “Well, like.. who is your best friend? What's your favourite colour? What do you do for fun? Or.. Uhm.. did you ever think you’d meet your true love?”.

Sirius stopped his rambling and looked at Pandora. She was smiling, but her eyes were fixed on his intensely, and once again he felt as if she knew something he didn't.

“My best friend is my guard, Dorcas. She was meant to be my Lady in waiting, but we found her much more useful as a guard, and she seems to like it more. My favourite colour is green, but not like the green in this room, more of a… pistachio colour- but I am also partial to pink.” She shifted from where she sat, pulling her leg up and sitting crisscrossed. “I like to ride horses, and write- but my favourite thing to do is experiment. Making potions, and medicines- it's all great fun.” She looked down at her hands, and her hair fell slightly into her face, almost like a curtain. Sirius noticed she was picking at her nail. “To be honest, I always romanticised the idea of true love, how could I not? I always knew it was coming, I could hardly wait for it. I guess you could say I'm impatient.”

“Do you think you've found it?” Sirius quietly asked, he somewhat hoped Pandora didn't hear him at all, but she had. Looking up at him she gave him somewhat of a pitying look.

“Do you?” she asked.

“Yes.” The words felt heavy, but he wasn't lying. He wasn't lying, was he?

“Then I do too.” Pandora answered, “Think I’ve found love I mean… What about you?”

“Hm?” Sirius asked.

“Favorite colour? Best friend? Fun? Love ?” Pandora listed, as she patted the opposite side of the window, signalling Sirius to sit in front of her. He wondered about his answers as he sat, he hadn't had someone to tell about himself in quite some time, and it took a while to remember what he liked.

“My favourite colour is red, I use to hate it, but my friend James and his parents love it so I fell in love with it. My best friend… It's a bit complicated because James is basically my brother, he's my family, but my other friend Peter is family too, but it's... different. I think Peter is probably my best friend if James is my brother.” He looked to Pandora, who was listening intently, and Sirius smiled at her, “For fun, we usually just cause trouble, or go to the woods and explore. Love…” Sirius pondered this for a moment, he said the word a lot- to James, Peter, Andromeda, even to Regulus, but he didn't really know what romantic love felt like, and for someone who so badly yearned to love he had felt very little of it until he met his friends. “I think I was a little afraid there was no one out there who could love me enough to be my true love.”

“There is. Everyone has someone to love them, it's written in the stars and being one yourself, it's clear you're destined to find love.”

“Everyone says I already have.”

“Then you have.”

Maybe he had. Surely he had.

It was written in the stars.

*

That moon.

The beautiful one in the ballroom.

He was staring at it, and he couldn't place it but something was different.

The wedding was in an hour, and he was meant to be in his room, getting ready (and hiding James and Peter from his mother) but he found himself walking away from his room and into the ballroom, where he lay on the floor and stared at the moon. 

*

Eventually, Sirius had to leave for his room, where he joked with his friends and got ready and told himself over and over that the second he said ‘i do’, the feeling would come, that moment where he knew it was true love, and all the silly worrying would be for nothing.

He was dressed extremely nice, with a heavy ornate overcoat made of black and emerald fabric, intricate patterns sewn across it of the constellations of all the heirs before him. The overcoat’s satin buttons covered the black silk shirt he wore underneath it. He had multiple jewels on him, emeralds as of Black tradition. There was a long wrapped piece of silk around his hips, dark green in colour, and tied in a neat bow at his side. His pants were simply black, cuffed at the ankle. His hair had been pushed behind his ears, it was a bit untidy due to its length, but he had refused to cut it, he loved his hair. The only thing he was missing was the crown. It was the same one his father had worn when he married Walburga, a heavy golden thing, adorned with emeralds and small hidden snakes. He had specifically wanted it to be passed down through the generations, but Sirius wasn't very fond of it, the crown and his father.

“Just a few more minutes, and then you’ll be the first of us to find your true love. Can't believe it honest! I always thought I’d find them first,” James was laying on Sirius's bed, tossing a book he had found from each hand. 

“Never really been bothered by the idea if I’m honest.” Peter shrugged, he was sitting on the floor, watching the two.

“Really? How come? It’s all I think about, almost.” James was looking at Peter upside down, his glasses half slipping from his face.

Peter started to pick at a loose thread on his shirt, “Dunnon.. doesn't seem like such a big deal.”

“Really, though? I always thought-”

“Hey, Pete? Do you care to go and listen about… see what mother and father are saying?” Sirius asked, as he carefully placed the crown on his head, surprisingly light, he looked at Peter from the mirror he was staring in.

“Yeah sure, I’ll be back soon.” Peter hastily got up, and before the door was even closed he had switched into his rat form.

“Hm… I thought everyone thought about true love. Kinda nice though, to not have to worry about finding it..”

“Are you alright?” Sirius asked, turning to the boy on his bed. He had stopped throwing the book.

“Yeah, I just thought I would've found it by now.” James smiled, but it wasn't his usual carefree one, this one held a weight that looked wrong on James’ face.

“We’re still young, James. I’m sure they are just around the corner.”

“Mum and Dad met when they were 14, and it's easy for you to say, you’ve gone and found it.” James threw his arms out, letting them flop next to him.

“Have I?”

“Well, you're marrying her yeah? True love?”

“Yes, right. True love.”

They were both silent, Sirius had turned back to the mirror and just looked at himself. He looked like a groom, so why didn't he feel like one? Why couldn't he just fall in love now ?

“Sirius, you do know that you don't-”

The image of a rat sliding into the room from a crack in the wall stopped James and Sirius, they both turned to Peter as he transformed back. “You have ten minutes, and your mother is on her way here right now, she wants to talk to you. She doesn't seem happy.”

“Ok, lovely. Just great! Thanks wormtail, you guys should probably get out of here before she shows up.” Both boys gave Sirius a look, “It will all be fine, go.”.

“See you at the wedding.” James smiled at him, as he and Peter patted Sirius on the back, before following one another out of the door. In the newfound solitude, Sirius felt his frown deepen, and his thoughts increase. A mantra of, this is true love , on repeat in his mind.

His mother entered the room silently, and Sirius did not meet her eye. She had on a simple, and elegant emerald dress, her head carrying a crown making her look somewhat like a dragon.

“I always hoped that when you found true love, we would be on better terms.” Walburga started, stepping closer to her son, Sirius watched her come closer from the mirror he stood in front of. “I always hoped one day, we could look past our differences and you would lead us all to prosperity after I am gone.”.

Sirius couldn't say anything. His relationship with his mother was rocky at best, and non-existent at worst, he had never been able to please her and her parenting tactics were nothing less than cruel. There were many days Sirius had spent his childhood locked in the very tower that now housed Pandora, the one more fit for a prison than a princess. “You are becoming someone new today, Sirius. You are merging our kingdoms. As this new person, I hope we can… reform a bond. Despite everything I am your mother.”.

Your mother. She had said it easily, with no malice, your mother . Sirius doesn't think she had ever said it in a sweet way, and not for the first time Sirius craved the relationship that James had with his mother. The one where she held her son, called him sweet names, and never said his name with hatred. One where a son like he was a blessing, and not a curse. So for the first time since he was a child, Sirius let himself trust his mother because maybe it was finally happening.

She was behind him now, and her hand had snaked around to his hair, which she pulled back. In her other hand she pulled out a necklace, it was a deep green crystal; holding it in place was a spirling viper- small emeralds in place of its eyes. She put the necklace around his neck, “This has been in our family for many generations, and today you are worthy of owning it. Like hundreds of Black Heirs before you. Do not disappoint us, Sirius.” as the necklace was clamped in place, she smoothed down Sirius’ hair, and smiled. A real smile, he wasn't sure the last time he had saw it was. Maybe this is what it took, maybe since he had found true love, his mother saw him worthy of her love- and despite the fact he had deserved it for many years it didn't matter now because he had it. He had it? He had it.

“Sirius there is just one more thing you must do before you marry the girl.”

“Yes, mother?” Sirius felt he would do anything if it meant she was finally proud of him.

“Take this coin, it is special, there were very few made.” She took his hand in hers, and Sirius finally faced her, “Before you walk down the aisle, you must go to the garden, where you will find a well. Toss in the coin and make a wish. It is… family tradition.”

“Just make a wish, that is all?”

“Yes, then you can marry her. Simple, just like that.”.

“Ok, yes. I’ll go now, mother.”

*

It wasn't hard to find the well, Walburga had gone with him to ensure he did it, or maybe she just wanted to be there with him, he didn't know anymore. He had just crossed the bridge leading to the well when he spotted Prongs and Wormtail, just a few feet away, it wasn't exactly hard to see a stag with a rat on its head. He subtly shook his head at the two when they took a step forward, and he and Walburga turned into the greenery.

It was all very pretty, and it was exactly a traditional well, it reminded him more of a waterfall. He looked down into it, he couldn't see the bottom. The entire time they had been walking there he had been searching his memory trying to figure out how he had missed the well when he had played here for years as a child. 

“Now, Sirius. Just make a wish.” Walburga put her hand on his back, giving an encouraging nod.

Sirius thought and the only thing in his mind was, ‘True Love’, and it only made sense for him to wish for it, didn't it? If he wished for it now, it was sure to come true when he married Pandora. So Sirius closed his eyes and ran his thumb over the coin.

“I wish for True Love.” And he tossed in the coin, but as the words left his mouth he realised his feet were no longer on solid ground as he stumbled forward, his eyes flying open as he realised what was happening.

He was falling.

The tunnel was pitch black, and he could hear his own screams, but there was something else. A swirling blue light and an almost spark-like effect were all around him. The world was continuously turning over and everything felt wrong.

When he finally hit solid ground, he couldn't see anything, the only source of light coming from a tiny hole next to his hand. He felt different in a way he couldn't explain. His hands were on something cold and hard, he let his nails scrape it, and it felt almost like stone. He hesitantly lowered his head to look through the small hole, he saw many lights and he could hear people, but the one thing he noticed for sure was that everything looked extremely different. He pushed on the stone-like object his hands were on until it gave way, and poked his head out. 

There were people everywhere, and they all looked… strange. In fact, everything was strange, there were these tall straight buildings with windows that looked more like mirrors than windows and weird loud machines were rolling down the street. There were people blowing smoke out of their mouths and laughing. People were yelling at each other, and others were saying words he didn't know the meaning of. Sirius could feel how wide his eyes were and felt somewhat like running away and hiding, this was not what he signed up for. 

There was only one thing he knew for sure.

He was definitely not home.