Their First Word
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January 1951
The family was gathered at Arcturus mansion to celebrate his 55th birthday. At this gathering everyone was chatting mostly about politics and the situation in the Wizengamot and Dumbledore’s fight of prejudice against the Dark and even some Grey families. Away from this conversation the little ones were sitting in the outskirts of the living room trying to play, while Melania and Irma watched over them not really paying attention to the rest. When the little ones started to squeal from joy Ophelia said:
“Come Cassie, come!” she was already beginning to crawl when everyone heard Cassiopeia speak her first word ever.
“O…oph…Ophelia!”
Everyone in the room went quiet, their previous conversation forgotten while staring at the toddlers. One could see the shock and how offended Walburga and Orion felt that they were not their daughter’s first word. On the contrary everyone were pleasantly surprised, while Arcturus tried to hold back his tears of joy since his granddaughter spoke her first words on his birthday. He could not have asked for a better gift. Even more than the times before, Druella was now almost completely certain that her daughter and her niece shared a bond like no other, that they would be inseparable. But she was also certain that Ophelia was gonna change many things around here that will definitely not please some, especially the other far more prejudiced couple.
.......
September 1951
It was the fall of 1951, and 6 months prior, on the 30th of March the family welcomed Ophelia’s younger sister Bellatrix. In a moment of family time among, Druella, Cygnus, Vinda, and Ophelia was when Bella decided to share with them her first word.
“Did you attend the latest Wizengamot meeting Cygnus?” Vinda asked
“Yes, I did actually, but as per usual I just joined my brother in the room of spectators on top of the chamber. It was quite a tense meeting; did your father tell you about it?” the sisters shook their head while they were holding the little ones.
“Well, the Light side was trying to convince a few Grey families to join their alliance in terms of the Olde Rituals, meaning to declare them illegal.” With the last word Vinda was about to spit her tea from her mouth. Being the most loyal acolyte even friend to Gellert Grindelwald in her early youth, everyone knew her opinion on this issue.
“You must be joking. Please tell me you’re joking.” Cygnus shook his head. “Incroyable…ces traitres de sang pensent qu’ils peuvent changer les manières de notre Mère Hécate.”
Vinda murmured in pure hatred for the blood traitors as they called them. Even if in the past their families supported the complete annihilation of muggles and muggle-borns their opinions had changed over the years. In general they supported Grindelwald’s vision of the world; most of the Black family now believed that muggles weren’t completely worthless but of other value let’s say and as for muggle-borns well they couldn’t care less. They realized that someone’s blood doesn’t define them but their talent and determination to succeed. But there are always people, who are the exceptions and in this case they were Walburga and Orion; they still believed in pure blood supremacy and the uselessness of muggles. That’s why Druella especially was keen on spending as much time with her niece in hopes of saving the child from adopting this sort of medieval philosophy.
“Vinda I feel your frustration, and believe me the minute they shared certain words about our families I was about to act as well. But there isn’t much we can do; we can only convince the Grey families to remain neutral at least.”The minute she opened her mouth to respond a sound came from little Bella who was resting in her mother’s arms
“Oph…Ophelia?” unlike Orion and Walburga, Cygnus and Druella were quite glad that Bella’s first word was her older sister’s name. They knew that this indicated something they had all hoped for. A strong bond between the new generation, uniting the House of Black and forming a united front against the rest of the world.
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March 1954
The years started passing by a bit faster than they used to in Druella’s opinion. Last fall on September 2nd Andromeda was born, bringing even more joy to Cygnus and Druella’s life. When she first saw her baby sister, Ophelia couldn’t form any words; she didn’t what to say, because there were no words that were able to describe her emotions at that moment.
While out in the garden enjoying the weather with her mom, aunt Vinda, and grandma Rose, Ophelia was playing with a 3 year old Bellatrix while Andy laid in their mother’s arms drinking milk peacefully. The women were having tea, discussing the latest turn of events in the Wizengamot since as it seemed Dumbledore continued implying that every Dark and even Grey family were pureblood supremacists who hated les non-magiques. Since the Rosier family was almost entirely from French descent, both Vinda and Druella had learned to speak French fluently; and while speaking politics around the girls they preferred to speak in French.
“Mais il ne peut pas condamner notre et les autres familles noir ou grise. Il n’a pas des preuves!“ Druella said in dispair
“Tu crois que je ne le sais Druella? Mais cet homme a une opinion très biaisée vers nous. Et il est possible qu’il pourrait ne jamais accepter le fait que nos opinions ont évolué.” Her mother replied, sighing heavily after finishing
“Oh Mon Dieu. Comment quelqu’un peut-il être aussi stupide?”
Vinda said while shaking her head in disbelief. Other than the heavy matter being discussed the scene was peaceful even picturesque one could say. That was the moment that Andromeda chose to speak for the first time. By then Druella and the rest knew and expected Ophelia’s name to be the first word of all this generation. And that’s what happened with Andy as well, while after that Druella sweetly smiled and called her daughters to join them and hear their sister’s first word ever.
.......
April 1956
Ophelia was almost 6 when little baby Narcissa, who was born on the 5th of October, spoke her first words which everybody already knew what they were going to be. But this time it happened a bit differently. This time, it wasn’t her mother who witnessed it first but Ophelia herself.
She was at her bedroom, with Cassiopeia, Bella, and Andy painting on some books with magical creatures that you needed to draw; their parents got them, as a present during Yule. While the others were painting in silence, Ophelia was taking care of Cissa. She was feeding her bottle since their parents were out attending to some work issue, while aunt Vinda was downstairs preparing some food for them; despite the protest of the house elves.
“Bella! You’re supposed to paint the dragon’s fire red not that!” Andy squealed while indicating a dragon spitting fire
“Andy have you ever seen a dragon spit fire? That’s right you haven’t so I’m doing it my way.”
Bella retaliated and before they could start bickering again, Cassiopeia looked at Ophelia and nodded to each other. Ophelia then settled Narcissa down in her crib that was next to her, and headed towards Bella’s side. She then started counting silently, not making a sound. On three the two older girls started tickling the younger ones, in order to prevent them from arguing any more. The sound of giggles filled the room, while Vinda entered the room smiling.
“Well looks like you all munchkins are having fun! Care to take on your auntie Vinda? All of you against me?” the little ones were tempted so they attacked their aunt simultaneously tickling the older woman.
“Oh I’m gonna get you!” She said while chasing the children around the room. That’s when they heard Narcissa murmur something from her crib; Vinda and Ophelia jolted towards her side while the others continued playing. When her aunt tried to pick her up, Narcissa said her first word.
“Lia!!” the second she heard her nickname Ophelia’s eyes were wide open in shock, while her aunt smiled.
“It seems that she wants you Ophelia, ma chérie. You can hold her if you want to.”
She told her niece sweetly, while the little one took her baby sister into her arms. Ophelia looked deep into Narcissa’s ocean blue eyes, and gave her brightest smile. It was one of those times, that she felt something strong tug her heart. She knew what it was; she knew her responsibility as the eldest was to protect her family from any harm. On that note she thought of something, a sort of promise that they’ll have. Looking up at her aunt with a smile she asked.
“Auntie Vinda, how do we say always and forever in French?”
“Well you know always is toujours right little one?” she asked while kneeling down to be at her niece’s eye level. The little one nodded her head eagerly.
“Yes mommy taught me that!” Vinda couldn’t stop smiling at her niece; she was only 6 but so intelligent and aware of her surroundings, one of the reasons why everyone felt so proud of her.
“I know buttercup. Now even though there isn’t a particular translate of forever we can say….hmm… how about ‘toujours et pour toujours’?”
“I like that auntie, thanks.” Vinda smiled and kissed her niece’s forehead
“You’re welcome sweetie. And since you mentioned French, would you like me to start teaching you?”
“Yes, yes, I would because I wanna know what you, mommy, and grandma are talking about whenever you speak French!” perhaps a bit too intelligent, Vinda thought
“Alright, I will talk with your momma. Now come on it seems like Bella and Andy are winning over Cassie.” Ophelia nodded while her aunt headed towards the rest. She gently kissed Narcissa’s forehead and placed her down in her crib to rest, while looking over her. She hovered over the crib, giving her sister a small smile while Narcissa held one of her fingers with both of her own little hands.
“I promise to you Cissy, toujours et pour toujours.”
......
June 1956
It was a family field trip to Scotland for the weekend. It was Cygnus, Druella, their daughters, Arcturus, Vinda, Walburga, Orion and their children. Sirius was a very restless baby, even if he was only 7 months old (born 8th of November); Ophelia couldn’t imagine how he was going to be when he reached their age. But nevertheless she actually enjoyed spending time with him, every weekend when her family went to Grimmauld Place to see aunt Walburga and uncle Orion. So as they were out in the fields of their estate, nearby a creek, the grown-ups were nearby sitting at a wooden arch like sitting area taking their lunch. Sirius was lying in his stroller peacefully sleeping.
“Hey Lia we’re gonna go to the swings over at those trees, wanna come?” Cassie asked her
“Yeah of course I’m coming. But we should get Siri too, you know why.”
Cassie knew what she was talking about, they may be 6 but they’re not stupid. Both of them knew that the minute Sirius was born both Walburga and Orion would try to impose their medieval beliefs. But it’s not only that; Cassie had told her cousin that ever since Siri was born, her parents were being even crueler and colder towards her. Ophelia knew her aunt and uncle, once they saw their second child was a boy they saw no point in taking care of their daughter. That’s why she swore to her, that she’ll do whatever it takes to help both her and Sirius with the whole situation. The last thing she wanted was for them to start abusing both of her cousins, and trying to force their beliefs. But she knew Cassie was smarter than that; she would never blindly obey and follow their orders. It was Sirius who she was worried about; he was only a baby, he could be influenced easily if they didn’t help. So that was what she was going to do. Once they approached the arch, Cassie went towards her brother’s stroller, smiling at him. Sirius really did love his sister, from the size of the smile that was formed. Cassie put on her serious demeanor on, and turned towards her mother.
“Mother, is it possible that me and Ophelia take Sirius out for a stroll? It is after all such a beautiful day, and he might get in the way of your discussion by making noise.”
Cassie knew how to manipulate people ever since she was a toddler; one of the perks of being a Black. It is a common characteristic among the members of family to be stubborn, persuasive, and of course manipulative. Even if many recognize these traits as negative, the Blacks considered them as some of the most important assets to a person’s character. So all in all, Walburga agreed, and allowed them to take Sirius. Having distanced themselves from the grown-ups Ophelia shot Cassiopeia a smirk while they were pushing the stroller.
“You are pure evil you know that Cass?” she smiled and nodded
“I know, but so are you. That’s why we make such a good team Lia; and that’s the reason why we made our vow to protect the others from my parents.” Stopping the stroller Ophelia looked deep in her cousin’s eyes and saw nothing but plead for help. She was worried that in the end something would happen and her life will come crumbling down; Lia just knew that was what her cousin was thinking, she could feel it.
“Cassie……toujours et pour toujours. You’re my family; family sticks together and protects each other no matter what. I will never desert you, mark my words.” Cassie nodded while she was on the verge of tears, and hugged her cousin.
“I love you Lia…” Ophelia smiled against her cousin’s shoulder “I love you too Cass." That’s when little Sirius started moving in his stroller, and laughing as he always did. They both looked towards him smiling; until he said something
“Lia!” He sounded so excited the moment he formed the word that he soon started repeating it over and over again. The cousins couldn’t help but chuckle; he was so innocent and angel-like, which made them hope that he would not turn out like his parents. They would make sure of it.
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December 1957
Regulus Black II was the last asset to the Black family and he was born on the 13th of July 1957. Now it had been around 6 months after his birth and things around Grimmauld Place had changed once again. Walburga and Orion had seemed to have forgotten almost completely of their other two children and focused completely on him; that left Cassiopeia and Sirius completely alone, not receiving the parental love and affection that every child deserves, all because of some sort of “vision” their deranged mother supposedly had. That’s why Cassie and Sirius were always spending time in the Black Mansion; they were practically living with their uncle, aunt, and cousins. Druella for sure did not mind hosting her niece and nephew, knowing that they were safer with them than with Walburga and Orion. Cygnus on the other hand seemed to think otherwise. His protests that they should leave the children to their parents, were expressed almost daily.
“Druella I know my sister, she wouldn’t abandon her own flesh and blood. She would never do such thing.”
“I know you love her Cygnus, but she has literally left them to their fate. She’s not taking care of them, especially Sirius who’s only a year old; if it weren’t for Cassiopeia the boy…”
She stopped not wanting to consider the mere possibility of what could have happened to her nephew if it weren’t for Cassiopeia. Cygnus didn’t know how to answer to that. Yes, he knew what would’ve happened to Sirius; yes he knew what his sister and brother-in-law were doing was wrong; but he just couldn’t believe his older sister was in reality so cold to completely throw away her children like that just because her vision said only Regulus was important. He just couldn’t comprehend it.
“This is not only your house Cygnus, it is also mine; so I will take care of our niece and nephew and you cannot do anything or say anything that will change my mind. Is that clear?” he nodded his head knowing that when his wife gave him that tone, nothing that he would say or do would change her mind.
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll go check up on the children.”
……
One could imagine the surprise on Walburga and Orion’s faces when they heard Regulus’ first word. It wasn’t Ophelia’s name, but it wasn’t either of his parents’. To their surprise his first word was his older sister’s nickname, which made them furious. She wasn’t even around the house anymore; how was that possible?
What they didn’t know was that every night, when they were sound asleep, Cassie would creep in the little one’s room and talk to him. She would tell him everything about their cousins, their brother, and their vow; promising that as much as their parents tried, they would never make him the monsters they were. She and Ophelia would make sure that the new generation did not hold the same ‘bad genes’ as the last one.