All Blood Runs Red

i. you're gonna be ok

March 17, 1988 - 11:59pm

The two children huddled under the duvet of the boy's bed. They held a clock between them and were whispering and giggling to one another.

The girl shushed her brother, "Look Theo, sixty seconds!"

Theo smiled and grabbed his sister's hand in his, "Last minute as seven-year-olds!"

The twins counted together, "5...4...3...2...1, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Analia grabbed her brother into a tight hug and whispered, "I love you, Theo."

"Love you too Ana. Thank you for being my best friend." Theo hugged her back just as tight, the young children starving for the physical affection their parents should be there to give.

As they fell back into bed, exhausted from staying up so late, the siblings fell asleep with their hands clasped together and smiles on their faces for the first time in days. If only their happiness could be just as clear in the harsh sunlight of the day.

The portrait of the twin's mother watched over her sleeping children. In a quiet voice she whispered, "Happy birthday my loves, may you forever stay strong in the face of darkness and always remember to stick together no matter what."

✦

In pureblooded families, it is tradition to give the heir of the house a family crest on their 8th birthday. On the morning of the Nott twins' birthday, Theodore and Analia sat at the long dark oak dining table across from one another. Their father, Tiberius, resided at the head of the table that was large enough to seat 14 people. With their small family of three, the table seemed ridiculous.

Silence was a normal part of the family's meals. They were constantly expected to be in proper clothing, to have perfect manners, and to never speak out of turn. Their childhood was one of no affection, other than that found within one another, and high expectations.

Tiberius blamed his children for the death of his wife, Adelaide. She died after delivering the twins and left them solely under the care of their Death Eater father. The house-elves of the House of Nott were the ones who truly raised the twins, and when they asked about their father they were told that prior to their mother's death he was a good man but only around his wife. The death of the only light in his life was the final straw for the man, and now he was burdened with two unwanted children. Therefore, their only purpose was for Theo to be raised into the perfect heir and for Analia to become the perfect society wife to one day be married off for a better alliance of families.

So due to the expected coldness of family meals, when Tiberius spoke the siblings were shocked. The two looked up from their breakfasts and glanced at one another before looking to their father. The regal man looked down his nose at them, "Well, I was made aware that today is your eighth birthday. Of course, you know that this is the birthday where Theodore is given our crest. However, I heard from your uncle's portrait that the two of you snuck into Theodore's rooms last night and were heard laughing. I have made myself clear about this weakness before and will not tolerate it. So, after breakfast, you will meet me in the drawing-room for punishment as well as the crest ceremony."

With those words, he rose from his chair and left the dining room. As the heavy wooden doors boomed shut the twins made fearful eye contact.

Analia whispered, "I'm so sorry Theo."

He nodded and turned his attention back to his plate. Theo mumbled, "You know it's not your fault."

She placed her fork down, "It was my idea. I should've known better. I just thought it would be nice-"