The Brighter Years of Black (3)

1989 (13)

Mr Lupin,
As you have been made aware, we are fast tracking Miss Black's education. I have included in this envelope the curriculums for both years four and five . The expectation is that she completes it before September 1st of this year. Once she returns to Hogwarts she will be completing her final two years.
Sincerely,
Headmaster,
Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore

Remus folded the letter and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Erica! Hurry up we need to leave!"  He called, picking up a bag filled with clothes and general necessities and standing infront of the fireplace tapping a foot impatiently.
"Sorry I took so long Mooney.." she smiles holding her own bag.
"Come on now Erica. You know I have to see Dumbledore at 1"  he sighs "now you go first, the address is number 12 Grimmauld Place- do you hear me?"
"Yes Mooney.." she says, stepping forward into the fireplace with a fist full of floo powder.
Relaxing her grip she speaks loudly and clearly "Number 12 Grimmauld Place"
Stepping out, she glances around the empty, dusty kitchen. It felt lonely and much too big compared to the cozy cottage she grew up in. The sound of the fireplace roaring behind her brought her back to reality. She felt her godfathers hand resting on her back and for a moment she self safe and supported, she felt at home. Seconds later she realised he was guiding her to the side so he could easier exit the fireplace.
"Okay, find a room and set up your stuff. I have some things to do for Dumbledore, I'll be back" he smiles at her as he goes to leave. He stops in his tracks and turns to face his Goddaughter "crap, I almost forgot, you'll need these" he pulls an envelope from his back pocket and hands it to the girl.  Before she has a chance to look up at him and respond, he's already gone. After a moments consideration, she realises not only has her Godfather left her Alone in this foreign place but he's taken his bag... so clearly he has  no intention of returning today...

"Who are you?" Demands a portrait of a severe looking woman rather rudely.
"M-me..?" Erica stutters, caught slightly off guard.
"Yes you girl, who are you and what are you doing in my house?" The painting shrieks.
"My name is Erica Black, ma'am and my Godfather and I are staying here for a short while" she smiles politely.
The portrait freezes and for a brief moment it was almost indistinguishable from a muggle picture. The woman looks her up and down clearly unable to decide if she felt shocked or unimpressed.
"Black?" She asked, trying to sound nonchalant but Erica knew she had caught the woman's interest
"Tell me child, who are your parents?"
"My father is Sirius Black and my mother's name was Willow"
"Was?" The woman probes.
"My mother died when I was born.."
"Do you know anything about her?" She pushes even further
"All I know is that she was in my fathers year at Hogwarts, a Ravenclaw and her name was Willow, and I think she was going to be a wand maker but I'm not entirely sure" the girl said, speaking quickly and in a hushed tone, she knew she wasn't meant to know some of the information she'd just shared and if she'd felt guilty about finding it and keeping it a secret, sharing it felt almost illegal.

That July Erica Black graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along side her friend Charlie Weasley, she'd passed everything with flying colours.

She had only heard from her Godfather a handful of times in the last year however, every couple weeks he'd make an appearance at Grimmauld Place during the summer but those were brief and nothing like the long lazy summer days they'd spent at the cottage all her life. He dropped her off at platform 9 3/4 on September 1st and had sent a few letters. One, telling her to stay at school for Christmas as he wouldn't be around, another asking how school was around March, she'd sent a reply but never received anything in return and a final one wishing her good luck in her exams.. 2 days after her final one...

Erica Black took all of this in stride, refusing to let her Godfather's behaviour effect her. She recognised that as she got older and spent most of the year at school, he wanted to busy himself with Order work, it was only natural. She couldn't help but feel abandoned by him however and although she hated feeling the way she did, repeatedly telling herself she was being silly and emotional... she just couldn't seem to stop herself feeling it...