Revealing Secrets
Winter 1960
Imbolc was right around the corner, one of Druella’s favorite holidays of the year. It marks the beginning of spring, while the entire family would meet for dinner and to light their bonfire which symbolizes purification and the return of life and warmth. But the most enjoyable part was that of divination. The entire family would gather after the feast, and try to depict any sort of future events that might happen or looked out for certain omens that meant them any harm. It was a beautiful holiday, since simultaneously to the celebrations the weather would improve each day, while the flowers were slowly beginning to bloom. She honestly couldn’t wait for February 1st to come finally, and start the preparations.
But today was not the day to be discussing about this sort of celebrations. Vinda had asked for a family meeting between her, and their parents in their family home in Paris. So that morning, Druella told her husband that she would be gone in France for the rest of the day, and that he needed to stay home with their daughters. She honestly was quite curious as to why her sister was persistent that they met there instead of their family’s home in England. “She must have her reasons.” She thought while, putting on her deep red cloak adjusting it to look as magnificent as it really was. Brushing her black dress and looking herself in the mirror, she believed she was ready, so she exchanged goodbyes with the girls and Cygnus. She thought about Paris while closing her eyes gently and instantly felt the change in the atmosphere around her.
“Ah ma chère Paris.”
She exclaimed the minute she found herself in the quarter of Montmartre, the district of Paris she grew up in. It was and still is her favorite place in the world. Filled with painters at each carré, the small café sprawled around the district, and the old yet noble architecture of the buildings. She walked on the opposite route that lead to Sacre Coeur, and finally reached her family home.
She entered the building through the dark green door, her family’s favorite color, and reached the inner courtyard. She admired the architecture, as she would do when she was a child; the stairs, the large porch that extended throughout the rectangular shape of the courtyard, and the beautiful fountain stationed in the middle. She continued her way straight for a pair of glass doors at the other side of the courtyard; they lead to a smaller sort of courtyard, more like a lounge room with couches and paintings on either wall, that was costumed with two staircases on either side that also lead to the second floor. She walked up one of the staircases, and headed towards her father’s old study. As she presumed her sister and parents were there, waiting for her. Vinda seemed…nervous and uncertain; it was the first time she had ever seen her sister like this.
“Vin are you alright? Did someone hurt you?” Druella asked as she rushed to her sister’s side. Vinda looked up at her sister timidly. How would her sister react to her news? Will she accept her? Or will she reject and disown her?
“I’m fine little sis, it’s just…I need to confess something to you all.” Her parents and sister waited for her patiently, giving her all the time she needed to find the right words.
“All my life I always told you that, I do not wish to marry so that I can be free and make my own choices……well on the contrary for many years I have been deeply committed with someone…”
“Oh that is just wonderful, dear.” Their mother said excited
“Does this someone have a name, Vinda?” Their father asked seriously
“Yes……she does.”
Their parents were shocked, mostly their father; His dark blue with a grey undertone eyes, were filled with anger, shock, and disappointment. His eldest daughter, dating a woman? It was absurd! Unheard of! How dare she shame their family name like that by doing such a vile thing; by acting so selfish! Her mother may have been shocked, but her face softened with each second passing. Even if she didn’t like the situation, she just wanted her daughter to be happy; if that meant being with a woman rather than a man, she would swallow down her pride and accept it. And she knew that her eldest daughter was happy with the woman, since especially the last few years she’s grown to be a bit softer and loving unlike when she was younger. The woman was good for her daughter, so why should she deprive her child from her? Unlike both their parents Druella was expressionless. Nothing was going through her mind; she couldn’t feel anything nor say anything. She needed some time to let this entire situation to sink in. It was quiet until their father erupted like a volcano.
“This is absurd! I respected your decision not wishing to get married, but I will not accept this as you think I will. How dare you shame our family’s name like that! Acting so selfishly, not thinking about the consequences that it will bring to us! You are a complete disgrace to this family……And you are not……”
The three women looked at him with wide eyes, knowing how the sentence would finish. But he couldn’t say the rest of the words. His tongue was suddenly tied like a knot, making him unable to speak. And besides, it was his little girl; the girl that was as stubborn, and mischievous as he was. The girl to whom he taught every single spell he ever knew. The girl who ran towards him anytime she felt threatened by the outside world. The girl whom he watched to grow into the powerful, confident, and wonderful woman she was today. This was his baby girl; he couldn’t just say that she did not mean anything to him. He shook his head, and bit the inside of his cheek; immediately he left the room, probably apparating somewhere else in Paris. Vinda’s eyes were welling up with tears; she knew it that especially her father would not approve, but hearing the last words almost leave his mouth made her feel as she had been stabbed in the heart. She felt an arm placed on her left shoulder, and instantly felt calmer than before. It was her mother, as always, giving her a light smile while rubbing circles around her back with her other arm.
“Now, now sweetie he will come around once he sets aside his pride. We love you, and want you to be happy even if sometimes our opinions contradict. We will always be here for you.”
Vinda gave her mother a sad smile, while she noticed that Druella had left the room as well. Her heart was even more broken than before. Her own sister and father had just almost disowned her. The only thing she needed was comfort; especially her mother’s. As if she read her mind, Rose wrapped her arms gently around her daughter’s back pulling her into a deep hug. Vinda immediately relaxed in her mother’s arms, letting out small sobs not able to hold the tears anymore. Her mother soothed her, by rubbing circles around her back while humming the lullaby that would make her sleep when she was a baby.
“I love you maman.”
“I love you too Vinda.”
They stayed in that position for a while. Rose could feel her daughter’s heart break from Alferd’s harsh words from before. She would take care of him later; right now she needed to show her daughter that she was there for her. After a few minutes Vinda felt a slight headache, most probably from the events and the crying, but she felt better than before. Pulling away, her mother’s green eyes scanned her face for any sign of further heartache or distress. When seeing none, Rose held Vinda’s head in both her hands, and gently placed a kiss on the top of her head. So to lighten the mood and make her daughter feel better she said
“You know I would love to meet her; the woman that swept my daughter off her feet.” They both chuckled at that, while a small smile crept to appear in Vinda’s features
“She actually is in Paris at the minute; she came since she knew that if things were worse than now, I would do something foolish in my lack of comfort. I would invite her over but…”
“Do not worry about your father. I will take care of him, and make sure he comes to his senses. Now go find your sister, and talk things through with her; she is more likely to understand than him.”
Rose got up still having her daughter’s hand in hers, while smiling down at her. She let go of their hands, and started walking towards the door; she had to go handle Alferd’s temper and pride, in order to help him see that their daughter was for once sincerely happy. She turned on her heels and faced her daughter from the door frame.
“Remember sweetie that as soon as your father comes to his senses, I expect the both of you to come to dinner.”
Vinda chuckled and nodded her head gently, suiting as an answer to her mother. Before flashing her one last smile Rose apparated to go find her husband, and give him a piece of her own mind. Vinda was now alone in the room, wondering where her sister went. “She could not have just left the house…right?” Vinda thought, and exited the room towards the corridor that gave her a view of the small lounge room/courtyard. Her sister was sitting down in one of the couches admiring the painting of their family tree that extended on the opposite wall. The older Rosier sister knew that when Druella sat alone she wished to be left alone; so she waited until her sister was ready to allow her to join her. That’s when the silence was brutally ended by Druella’s soft voice.
“Do you love her?”
Druella asked and looked directly towards her sister on the balcony, who was facing her. Their eyes both dark green, like their mother’s, met each other. Druella’s weren’t filled with anger, as Vinda anticipated them to be, but they were filled with hurt. The eldest sister slightly nodded her head.
“I do love her Druella. She means everything to me.” Her sister gave her a light smile and a nod. Druella knew the feeling; it was what she felt with Cygnus.
“Do I happen to know her?”
She asked, while with a slight nudge of her head, she motioned her older sister to join her. Druella wasn’t mad at her sister for liking women; no not at all. She was mad at her for lying in her face for years, hiding such a wonderful thing from her. It felt like her sister didn’t trust her anymore, and that broke her heart into pieces. Druella would never make Vinda feel bad because she happened to fall in love with a woman; she just wants her older sister to be happy, because she deserves it.
“It’s Queenie…Queenie Goldstein. Remember from our days in The Alliance?”
Vinda answered as she walked down the stairs. Of course it was Queenie; the blonde Legilimens was her sister’s polar opposite, everyone loved her bubbly personality and unlimited kindness. She was able to bring out the best in other people, even from the ones which seemed completely unreachable and cruel. They were actually friends; all three of them. Queenie had helped Druella become an even better person, by teaching her that being kind and approachable did not necessarily make you weak. But after the defeat of Grindelwald they did not manage to keep in contact with each other, and there were times were she regretted it. "Well no wonder why Vinda fell in love with her." she thought while chuckling to herself. Vinda settled down next to her sister, wondering why she was chuckling.
“What?” she asked Druella, chuckling herself
“Nothing, it just makes sense even though you two are complete opposites. I believe that the both of you make an excellent couple; you both deserve to be happy after everything we have been through.” She reached for her sister’s hands taking them into hers and squeezing them gently
“I am happy for you Vin, I truly am. I just cannot understand why you did not tell me earlier?”
“Ella I didn’t know how you would react to it; and the last thing I wanted was to lose my sister because of such a silly reason…I am sorry sis, I truly am.”
Druella gave her a smile and hugged her older sister. She wanted to make sure Vinda knew, that she would never leave her side; they were family after all, and family sticks together through thick and thin. She squeezed her sister gently, while she spoke.
“I am not going anywhere sis; not now, not ever. I will always be by your side no matter what, you hear me?”
Vinda nodded against her sister’s shoulder, tears rolling down both of their cheeks. They stayed like that for a few minutes, comforting each other. After all these years, a small matter like that would not destroy their sisterhood; nothing would destroy their bond. Neither of them would ever allow it. When they slowly pulled away, they smiled at each other sweetly just like when they were kids. Vinda then had a thought.
“Would you like to see her?”
“Of course, but isn’t she back home in America?” It had been many years since the last time Druella had seen Queenie, and she did rather enjoy her company back in the day.
“No, she is here in Paris. She knew I was going to tell you today so she wanted to be nearby if everything went totally wrong.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Bring my sister-in-law here.”
Druella said chuckling, while slightly pushing her sister towards upstairs where the fireplace was. She really did want to see Queenie again, now knowing that she was the reason her sister had become such a huge softie. Vinda smiled at her sister’s antics; she was behaving more like Narcissa, who was 5, than herself.
“Your what? Sis we are not married, we are just……deeply committed.”
“Yes, yes and Cygnus and I aren’t married just deeply committed. Who are you trying to fool Vin? It is just like marriage; you have been together, I believe, for all these years. In my eyes you are married, so run along and bring her back here.”
Vinda smiled sweetly, while nodding her head turning to head to the fireplace. Even though her father did not take the news well, she was pleased that at least the women in her family supported her. Using the flu powder system, she arrived at the apartment that Queenie was staying these past few days. Brushing off the dust and a bit of ash that had been caught up in her dress she stepped out of the fireplace.
“People seriously need to improve this system…idiots destroying my clothes.”
She murmured quite angrily walking towards the couch. Immediately Vinda heard a squeal and a blonde woman appearing from the corridor opposite from her. No matter how many times she had seen Queenie, the woman would every single time manage to take her breath away. Wearing her favorite pink dress, and having apparently just done her hair, the younger woman raced towards her like a bullet being ejected from a gun. Clashing on to her, the two shared a long hug not being able to let each other go. After a couple of moments the two pulled away, while Queenie cupped the taller woman’s cheeks giving her a light peck on the lips.
“Vin mon amour…Are you alright? How did it go?”
Queenie couldn’t read Vinda’s mind even after all these years of them being together. It wasn’t like the other woman was hiding anything behind her occlumency wards; they just had agreed that for Queenie’s well-being and peace that Vinda kept her occlumency wards up most of the time. That way the blonde wouldn’t suffer from panic attacks of too many thoughts at once, or invade the other’s personal space. But the positive part was that after all these years with her, Queenie managed to learn a decent amount of French, allowing her to understand Vinda in both her letters and real life. Vinda gently stroked her hands up and down her lover’s sides, and took a deep breath.
“Well…my father was absolutely furious and he almost completely disowned me…” replaying the scene in her mind, her eyes began to well up with tears again. Seeing her reaction Queenie gave her a small smile while whipping the only tear that left her love’s eyes. “But at least my mother and sister did not share his reaction…in fact Ella wants you to join us in our house for a while. You know talk and see each other after so long; will you come?” she asked hopefully looking deep into the other woman’s eyes.
“Ofcourse I will come, I haven’t seen Ella in years. Let me grab my coat and we’ll leave.”
The blonde witch said while flashing a bright smile towards Vinda. Whenever Queenie would smile, she felt as if she was falling in love with the woman all over again. It just was such a genuine and filled with love kind of smile, which to be honest Vinda hadn’t received from anyone besides her family and only friend. She muttered a small “okay” while kissing her love gently for a few seconds before urging her to go get ready. Queenie just felt like home to her; she felt welcome and loved unconditionally by the other woman, especially whenever they kissed. After getting her coat, the blonde headed for the fireplace when she felt a hand pulling her back gently.
“No way, I am not using that old, filled with dust and ash thing for the second time today. We’re apparating.” Vinda said while it was evident her face was filled with disgust about the fireplace. Queenie just chuckled while she squeezed the other's hand and came closer to the other woman.
“Whatever her majesty wants.”
Vinda just shook her head trying to refrain from laughing while thinking about her house’s main courtyard. Instantly they appeared in the center of the courtyard, right beside the fountain. Queenie spun around staring at how amazing and ravishing this house was. But it did look awfully familiar for some reason…and then she remembered to having visited a similar house in New Orleans, Louisiana. “What was it called again?” she thought and then the memory came to her: the Abattoir.
“Vinda how is it possible that your family house looks almost identical to a mansion in New Orleans?”
“Oh you mean L’Abattoir...well it was inspired by my family’s design and architecture; also it is actually the residence of a family with which we are quite close but as you can see there many differences between the two mansions. Now come Ella is waiting in the living room.”
Taking her hand they walked towards the glass doors across the courtyard. Queenie had actually heard about that family; the Mikaelsons. They were very notorious since they were one of the most powerful families to have walked the earth; able of being both warlocks and dark creatures making them immortal. Entering the room, the women saw Druella sitting in a large armchair reading a grimoire possibly, while on the table there were three cups of tea and pastries. Looking up from her book, the younger woman saw her sister and Queenie standing timidly right in front of her. Giving them a warm smile she got up and headed towards the blonde woman.
“Queenie, it’s been far too long.” she said while embracing the woman who made her sister feel loved
“It has indeed; I have missed you quite a lot Ella.” They pulled away, while they exchanged genuine smiles.
“Well so have I, and I’m eager that the two of you fill me up on all the events I have missed. So come join me for tea.”
The women settled in beside Druella’s armchair, and began talking. Answering every single question Druella had about when and how they began their relationship, to how they communicated all these years and many more. Sharing their experiences from the last several years, they all remembered the reason why they had shared such a deep bond back in the days of The Alliance. Laughter and tears of happiness often filled the room for the next few hours; it was the sign of a reunion of three women who had shared the best years of their lives growing up together. Forming a connection and a bond that lasted up until now…