𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter twenty-one

The Christmas break was almost coming to an end. All Adena had done for the past weeks was eat, sleep, and read so she wouldn't be bored. She had dinner with her family on Christmas day. Her grandmother, Philomena Sayre, visited them for Christmas and it was very pleasant. That old woman always had anecdotes to tell. Adena's grandfather had sadly passed away years ago, when she was still young, which made her and Candace close to their grandmother. She had brought many gifts like always. She might live in a modest cottage but her vault at Gringotts was well filled. The old woman had gifted both her grand-daughters a pair of small golden earrings. Adena's pair was adorned with some stars, obviously, and Candace's had some flowers on it, showing her love for nature that way. They got many other enjoyable presents, like new quills that were needed or books that could interest them maybe. Adena got from a mother a black dress. It was a short dress that had some lace on the long sleeves to look more raffinate.

"For your next Slug Club party," had said her mother. Which had made the young girl sigh. Her parents obviously knew how boring these were.

It was now the last day of the year. School would be starting again next Monday. They were only some days away. As per usual, Adena's parents had been invited to some fancy party by their colleagues from the Ministry. The brunette, who was old enough, had to stay at home even though she would rather be outside. Candace being the social butterfly she was, was holding a party that night with a few Gryffindor friends of her. She had been doing that for three years now. But Adena didn't really want to be at her party. She had kindly asked her sister to put a mute charm around her room so she wouldn't hear the noise while she was in her room. And she didn't want anyone to force her out, she just said she had accidently forgotten to do her homework and so her last days of vacation would be used to work.

When she woke up the next day, the rooms downstairs were pretty messy, obviously. Candace was already a messy person, but having messy friends as well, it could only create something alike to a tornado.

"Morning, Pimchin," said the girl as she arrived in the living room. The house elf was putting order in the room, fixing up the broken things and tidying some others.

"Pimchin will go prepare Miss Adena's breakfast!"

"No need to. Just tidy the place before Mum and Dad see this. I'll do it myself."

"But-"

"Pimchin just tidy the room, it's okay."

"Fine, Pimchin will tidy the room, Miss," said the elf as she bent forward in front of the girl.

When she entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see some people there. Sirius and Maylyn were already up. They were munching some porridge Pimchin had probably made.

"Morning, 'Dena, slept well?" asked Sirius. Maylyn just nodded at her as her mouth was full. He had a cup of steaming coffee in front of him and a cigarette in his mouth.

"Yeah. Smoking in the morning?" she asked.

"It helps me wake up. These two are morning essentials," he answered, pointing to his cup.

"You two wake up rather early for partyers."

Both laughed before Maylyn who had swallowed her spoon of porridge said, "We were already sleeping at 10pm. I guess we drank too much before and ended up completely smashed after a few hours. That's why we're awake."

"I see, you must have missed all the fun then," said the girl, taking some remaining porridge to sit at the kitchen table.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Oh, that porridge is really good. Could you tell that to Pimchin for me please? Much better than what that horrid Kreacher used to cook."

Adena looked up from her bowl, hearing a familiar name.