You Are The Sunshine of My Life
You must have known that I was lonely
Because you came to my rescue
And I know this must be heaven
How could so much love be inside of you?
25th March 1973
“Let go of my trunk!” Ara screeched, trying to pull the trundle from James’s tight grasp. The boy merely grinned back, pushing his glasses up his nose as she finally relented with a glare.
“It’s good manners.” He shrugged wickedly, jumping from the train onto the platform; both hands grasping luggage.
Regulus and Sirius merely looked on in amusement, knowing whichever Potter adult had shown up would undoubtably praise the boy for his gesture.
They followed the two off the train, grinning in the wake of their playful bickering. Eyes scanning the people for a familiar face.
As Marlene rushed to her mother, she made James swear to say hello to his mum from her; promising her dad would swing by to talk shop with Fleamont over the break.
Their friends gradually drifted away to their own parents; Lily kissing both of Ara’s cheeks in parting.
“Cause you’re French!” She called out as she glided through the crowds, Ara’s resounding laugh filling her wake.
Pandora was by their side longest, pulling Ara slightly astray when she spotted her grandfather.
“Pandie!” He called out, shuffling through the crowds towards the bright-faced blonde. The two met with a warm hug, whispered greetings that Ara could not make out.
“Papa, I brought my best friend to properly meet you.” Pandora grinned upon parting, gesturing to Ara with a flourish.
“It’s lovely to see you again, Mr Ollivander.”
“And I, you.” He smiled. “How is the wand?”
“Absolutely perfect.” Ara smiled, pulling it from her pocket to show him the flawless red wood. “It works wonders when I’m especially narky.”
“Splendid. I had hoped it would.” He nodded. “Right, we must be off. We have tickets.”
“To the Grindylow exhibit?” Pandora squealed; a gesture so utterly unlike herself that Ara had to suppress a laugh. She bid them goodbye with a wave and well wishes, stumbling back into her brothers.
It was Sirius who finally spotted their guardian; Euphemia Potter stood alone amongst the crowds with a nervous smile.
“My darlings!” James’s mother exclaimed happily as she caught sight of the bundle of children on the platform.
They rushed her way, weaving through a crowd of Hufflepuffs.
“Hiya mum!” James beamed upon reaching her. Euphemia gave James a nod when she saw he was holding Ara’s trunk, using the opportunity to pull the girl into her arms first.
“My darling girl! I’ve missed you terribly.” She whispered as she squeezed the younger witch.
“I’ve missed you too Effie.” Ara sniffled as they parted, wiping at her eyes discreetly.
“It’s not like I’m your son or anything.” James grumbled jokingly - Euphemia rolling her eyes lovingly.
The older witch made the rounds, hugging first her son and then Sirius - caring words whispered to both. As Sirius joined his twin in wiping his eyes (though far less covertly), Euphemia spun to face the youngest Black; the resemblance between the three siblings so very uncanny.
“You must be Regulus.” She smiled kindly. “I hope you like sweets. Our elves have been making puddings all week for your arrival.” She leaned in, conspiratorially. “I’ve heard you’re a fan of a good chocolatey pastry.”
There was something so beautifully special about Euphemia Potter. She made everyone feel so very loved and welcome. And Reg had always been far better at letting people into his heart than his siblings.
“That sounds lovely, Mrs Potter.”
“Oh please call me Euphemia. Mrs Potter is my sister-in-law.”
“Oh do call Dorea that.” Sirius chuckled. “When I’ve got a camera, though.”
“That sort of thing simply must be caught on film.” Ara grinned.
“Could sell it for a fortune.” Sirius added, slinging an arm over Reg’s shoulder.
“Daily Prophet would have a field day.” Ara continued - her arm over Regulus’s other side.
“Have you both perchance been in regular communication with those Prewett boys?” Euphemia frowned, dreading three weeks of their antics.
“Twins stick together.” They replied with a wink, pulling their brother towards the Floos. Euphemia and James followed suit - the elder witch yelping for them to slow down and be kind on her old bones.
Upon entry to Potter Manor, their house elf Poppet was quick to grab the children’s trunks to place in their rooms, a bright smile on her face as she welcomed them home. Upon the Black sibling’s half-hearted smiled, she tugged at her ear - muttering about getting ahead of herself.
Dorea and Charlus were soon to find them - greeting the youngest Black with great excitement. Fawning over him and his sweet face as they pulled the siblings away from Euphemia to show them to their wing of the house. James and his parents resided in the West Wing - home to Euphemia’s drawing room and Fleamont’s study and tea room. It faced the pond at the end of the meadow - and all the trees surrounding.
The East Wing was clear in its touch from Dorea; filled with tapestries and artwork from dozens of countries. Remnants of their travels coating the pale walls.
Charlus pointed out things he thought the young boy would find interesting - paintings and busts of long deceased members of the Potter House. A poster for Fleamont’s inventions he’d proudly stuck by the library door, next to Charlus’s old Auror robes. Rooms used for duelling practice and study; the library itself situated on two floors - connected by a spiral staircase in the middle of the filled room.
As they led the Black children through the East Wing of the Manor, Dorea pulled the twins to her sides, hands stroking their hair as they walked beside her. They let her, just as they let Charlus take their brother by the hand to lead him through.
The Potter couples had split the house in half when Charlus and Dorea had moved back in; the Black children situated near their room, bedrooms opposite each other. Though, they slept in Sirius’s room, using Ara’s as a place to store their things.
The twins showed off their spaces - Sirius’s red and blue room lined with Peter’s drawings that Ara had kept as decoration. Ara’s room was painted soft purples and yellows - a vanity set for whenever Euphemia would come to play with her hair. More of a dayroom for the twins to hang about in, rather than a bedroom of her own.
They were not ready to be separated yet.
The Potter couple suspected that Regulus’s room would be used as a dayroom too - considering the looks the siblings exchanged as the boy glanced at their bedrooms.
“Your sister mentioned that you like the colour green.” Dorea spoke as they moved past Ara’s room, leading the three to the door beside Sirius’s. “I hope I’ve decorated your room to your tastes.”
With a tug of the door handle, Regulus could not help but gasp at the effort the Potter couple had put into his room. It was similarly laid out to his brother’s; an ornate desk and wardrobe by the windows - a view of the meadows reaching out. The green of the walls was perfect - not a dark Slytherin shade, rather a soft sage tone that soothed the eye. Mixed with yellows and blues - like petals across grass. It coated the walls, lining the wardrobe doors.
A large bed, fit for three - as the Potter’s knew the Black siblings well - with plush pillows and cushions matching the splatters on the walls sat in the very centre of the room. It was utterly perfect. Both as a solitary space, and for sharing with his siblings on days it would be needed.
“Thank you.” He reached for Ara’s hand, squeezing in gratitude as he beamed at Dorea.
“This isn’t even the best part, Reg.” Ara smiled to her brother. “Out back, at the end of the meadow is a pond big enough for swimming.”
The boys face lit up further at that. He spun with awe to Charlus, who nodded in confirmation.
“Are you a fan of aquatics?” He nodded.
“I used to swim at the French House. I like water.” He answered, bashfully.
“Then you will simply adore the pond.” Charlus replied surely. “These ground are always beautiful. I’ve lived in this home for my whole life and they still impress me.”
There were no words the children could say to express their gratitude or excitement. To be in a house that was so very welcoming… it was simply still so bizarre to them. A year prior, they had seen it as some frightening thing.
No longer. Not when Reg was finally there too.
Instead of holding back, they let themselves hope and be happy. Simply, they looked to Charlus and smiled.
He could not help but smile back; warm and loving in a way they’d scarcely seen.
“Right then, shall we get you lot fed?” He grinned, ruffling the boys hair as Dorea held Ara to her side, soothing her scalp.
“Poppet went all out once she heard we were finally meeting you, dear,” Dorea smiled to Regulus, “she made sure to prepare green beans, as your sister claims you enjoy them thoroughly. And we have jam tarts and chocolate pudding for afterwards.” She grinned to the twins; having completely shed her blank pureblood mask in their company. It was not needed with family, after all.
“Thank you.” The siblings spoke together.
And so, they let themselves be led. And they let themselves be happy. For Regulus’s sake.
——
29th March 1973
Spring had officially come to England; the chill to the air softened by the warm sun and its blossoming around the grounds of the Manor. A lazy warmth that seeped into their bones and brightened their days.
Days spent in each others company; the boys playing Quidditch as the women fawned over Ara’s curls, styling her hair. Though it was certainly not her favourite way to spend her time, Ara allowed it. The Potter women were clearly desperate for a daughter, and she was happy to fill the gap.
With the soft light morning, the Potter Library almost seemed to glow. Bookcases lined with gold trimmings, spanning up to the ceiling. Walls of pearlescent turquoise that glimmered in the streams of sunlight, golden armchairs and golden tables. Ara and Regulus seemed to find themselves enjoying its stocked cases most mornings, the elder Potter men often accompanying as they read through papers for the Wizengamot and bills being suggested. On one such occasion, the peace of their silent reading was rather rudely interrupted as Sirius Black swung the doors open and slid into the library - gaze locking onto his brother as he continued to slide.
“James and I are gonna play a pick up game outside, if you’re in?” Sirius grinned, extending a hand towards Regulus as he dug his heels. He waggled his fingers. “Might invite Marls, since apparently she’s only a walk away. Make it even odds, Blacks against the rest.”
“Yeah, alright.” Reg nodded, accepting the offered hand to pull him up - Sirius linking their fingers once he was stood. Turning back to Ara, Reg smiled. “Do you want to come?”
“You aren’t getting me on one of those deathtraps.” She shuddered in reply. “And I’m far too comfy here to move.”
“I’ll let you know when I’ve beat them.” Reg whispered conspiratorially, a loud laugh bubbling from Ara as he pulled Sirius into walking.
“Be smart about it. James might look a bit dim, but he’s wicked at tactics. Don’t let him try and trick you into moving the wrong way, he’s a crafty bugger when he wants to be. You’ve got to keep-”
“Constant vigilance! I know, Ara.” Regulus rolled his eyes as he stomped from the room, hand-in-hand with Sirius, missing the brief flicker of glance the elder Potter men shared.
Charlus had spent some time working with the Aurors once he had returned to England. And a significant portion of that was held with Alastor Moody.
But he could not think back to a single instance in which the Black twins would have interacted with that man. Especially when he was very Light oriented. The Black family were not known to engage socially with Aurors.
So how in Merlin’s name did Ara know the man’s catchphrase?
“I did not know you were aware of Alastor.” Charlus commented mildly as he flipped over to the next page of his paper, peering up to see Ara’s scrunched brow.
“Who?” She questioned awkwardly.
“Alastor Moody. He’s claimed the phrase ‘Constant vigilance’ as his own, around the Auror department.”
“Oh.” She whispered, as though some great mystery had finally been solved. “I have to go.” She spoke suddenly, rushing from the parlour and out the door in the blink of an eye. The two men left in her wake exchanged another glance; one of utter bewilderment and curiosity.
Another layer to the mystery of the Black siblings.
It was odd, really, to be evenly matched between Potters and Blacks in the Manor.
Potter Manor had always been home to his family. It was the place his father and uncle grew up together; the place he and his brother were raised as well. Thirteen years ago, it was where his brother had brought his son to grow up. Where Charlus had returned.
This Manor had been the foundation of his life since the moment he was born within its walls. He watched his nephew run the same corners that he slipped on too. Saw his wife tickling the same keys of the same piano his mother had bought (despite not being musically inclined). His brother and sister-in-law dance sweetly, the same way his father and mother would when they were children.
And now it was the place he would raise these three children. The Black siblings had spent far too much of their lives with those watching over them… he couldn’t even think of it without feeling queasy. Because those children were so very good and bright. A Hufflepuff and two Gryffindors - the utter opposite of everything the family peddled.
And he would be lying if he said that the twins didn’t remind him of his brother and himself as children. They were prone to a hissing argument followed by sneaking around to steal treats or pull pranks. The presence of Regulus amongst them was something Charlus hadn’t quite expected, but found so very pleasant. Even though their brother may not have shared their bond, he was included. When the twins declared twin time, they’d wait for Regulus to follow them to their room. He and Ara would sit in the library - his head on her lap as she fiddled with his hair and read aloud. Sirius taking his brother to play quidditch in the garden with James; Ara sat in the grass cheering them on.
The twins may have complimented each other well - but it was with the presence of their brother that they truly shone. He was a crucial piece.
The elder Potters had always regretted not giving James siblings or cousins to bond with. Really, they should have known he’d find his own. Their boy was growing up.
“It’s time, Monty.” Charlus nodded to his brother, eyes bright with mischief. Fleamont caught his meaning immediately; a sparkle glimmering as a smirk overtook his features.
“I’ve been thinking the same, myself.”
It was hardly a surprise that the following morning James Potter found something odd at the foot of his bed. A large paper-wrapped package his foot connected with in the dredges of his sleep - the paper tearing to show red patterned fabric beneath. Once his glasses were perched on his nose, he grinned as he spied a note written on the paper.
A warning: ‘Don’t get caught!’