The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
It started slowly, at first. With small questions.
James had wanted to know more about Lily, of course. Hermione had expected the questions, but what she hadn’t expected, was for her brother to be so reserved in his newfound affection for Lily.
While he made every effort to be available to escort Hermione to the Greengrass Estate, he never overstayed his welcome, or acted wildly as he had the first time.
He never interrupted the time the trio spent at the Potter Manor either.
This behavior seemed to catch Lily’s attention, and her sudden drawn out glances towards James went unspoken.
………..
September, 1794
Hermione’s fourteenth birthday approached rapidly.
At her mother’s insistence, she had invited a two girls from the Young Ladies Club that herself and Lily were a part of.
Andromeda and Narcissa of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black were kind girls, a few years Hermione’s senior. Not to mention, they were Sirius’ older cousins.
The elder of the two, Andromeda was to make her debut in just a few months time, while the younger, Narcissa was set to make her debut two years after, at the same time as Lily.
The Potter family stood in their receiving room in the moments before their floo network activated. As a bell rang to mark the hour, the fire roared to life, and the first guests of the day stepped through.
Lily had been accompanied by her elder brother, Heir Sebastian Greengrass.
Hermione bent her knees and bowed her head slightly, holding her skirt out as she curtsied. She could practically hear Lily rolling her eyes at the action.
Such formalities were typically avoided amongst the family and their closest friends. But the celebration had called forth a few guests that the family was not deeply familiar with.
Lily and Sebastian greeted the family with a curtsy and a low bow in return, heading off to the Greenhouse, where the group planned to take tea.
James glanced longingly at the redhead witch, an audible sigh slipping from his lips.
……….
As soon as both Remus and Peter arrived, James excused himself from the receiving room.
He had stated that guests should not be left to themselves in the manor and that his ‘duty as Heir’ required him in the Greenhouse.
They all knew that the boy just wanted an excuse to be around Lily.
Andromeda arrived next, arm-in-arm with Sirius.
The witch cast a scourgify on herself to remove the soot and dust from herself after stepping from the floo.
She exchanged formal greetings with the host family before turning back to her younger cousin, still in the fireplace, brushing soot off with his hands.
“For Salazar’s sake, you have magic for things like this Sirius.”
She cast the cleansing charm on him herself, motioning for him to finally step from the fireplace.
He stood before the Potter family, and grimaced slightly as Hermione curtsied before him.
“Heir Sirius Black, welcome.”
As she straightened up from her curtsy, she noticed Andromeda glaring at Sirius. He reluctantly bowed, addressing each family member.
“Lord and Lady Potter. Miss Granger-Potter.”
It took a great deal of control for Hermione to keep silent. Sirius was, for lack of better terms, the least serious person out there.
Hermione wasn’t sure when he ever used his title, aside from to chase skirts.
“I hope that it’s alright, my younger brother will be visiting today as well. Walbur- I mean mother thought it would be best for him to come along as a proper escort for Narcissa.”
Hermione had nearly forgotten about the existence of his younger brother. She wasn’t even sure that she knew his name. Sirius had rarely spoken of his home life, and from her knowledge, it was unhappy.
His home life was the reason why he took lessons separate from his brother, with James and the other boys. Although he was the Heir, his mother despised him and aimed to keep him out of their home at Grimmauld Place. At times, it seemed that Sirius instead, lived at Potter Manor.
She was torn from her train of thought by her parents speaking.
“I’m positive our beautiful birthday witch wouldn’t mind an extra guest. Would you?” Fleamont asked her.
It made no difference to Hermione either way. As long as she could have her tea in the Greenhouse, and the raspberry scones made by Tilly.
Just as she was about to speak, the floo lit up one last time.
Narcissa quickly cast the cleansing charm upon herself, muttering to her cousin about first impressions before scourgifying him as well.
The pair stepped from the floo gracefully, only separating their arms to formally greet everyone.
“Good afternoon Lord and Lady Potter, you have a lovely home. I look forward to seeing more of it.” Narcissa, ever the picture of perfection spoke as she raised from her curtsy.
She smiled over at Hermione widely. “Hermione, lovely to see you again.”
“Narcissa, radiant as always.” she reached out, affectionately squeezing the blonde’s hand.
Stepping back, Narcissa looked over at her cousin, waiting for the boy to introduce himself.
In the moments of silence before he spoke, Hermione found herself observing the wizard in front of her, a curious look on her face.
He strongly resembled Sirius, with a head of dark hair and grey eyes and although he was the younger of the two, he had an impermeable air of arrogance around him.
Likely, he was the most poised thirteen year old to exist in the world.
“Lord and Lady Potter, I apologize for the intrusion on your home, and hope you can forgive me. My mother, Lady Black sends a token of her appreciation for you allowing my attendance.”
Under his breath, Sirius muttered about checking for poison. This earned him a glare from both cousins, as well as his brother.
Euphemia accepted the bottle, thanking him. He then turned toward Hermione, a bored look on his face.
“Miss Granger-Potter. My cousin tells me it’s your birthday. I hope you do enjoy it.”
Giving the boy a soft smile she spoke “Well, I’d like to know what your name is, so I can thank you properly of course.”
He tried to hide the furious blush that spread across his cheeks as he spoke again “My apologies, I’m Regulus Black. And I am delighted to meet you.”
……….
Euphemia and Fleamont began to lead the remainder of their guests to the Greenhouse, where snacks and tea had been prepared for the afternoon.
Sirius had grabbed Hermione’s arm in a rush to escort her, leaving his brother to the mercy of Black sisters.
“Sorry ‘bout Regulus, Mi. Warburga bloody demanded I take him so she can have her alone time.” He rolled his eyes “Probably having a luncheon with that arsehole of an elf, Kreacher. He gives her more attention than Orion does anyhow.”
Hermione only shook her head as the approached the doors to the Greenhouse “I don’t mind Sirius, I promise.”
As it turned out, it had almost been like Regulus was not even there.
For the most part, he kept to himself throughout the day. The only time Hermione noticed him speak, was to his cousins, or to thank the house elves.
After some time the conversation turned to Andromeda. The brunette had been chatting about dance lessons she had taken throughout the last year, and how she enjoyed the lessons the most of all her subjects.
Her debut was only months away, and she was expected to be the diamond of her season. She claimed to be excited, hoping to live up to the expectations of her family.
Hermione didn’t realize that she was staring at Regulus, until he scoffed audibly, eying his older cousin suspiciously. He then turned to Hermione with a raised brow.
Hiding the blush she felt across her cheeks, the curly haired witch remained silent for the remainder of their time together.