Beat the devil's tattoo

Chapter X. "Dancing in the dark"

"Dancing in the dark"

A week later the house was in complete chaos. The kids were supposed to leave for Hogwarts in two days and Mrs Weasley was in over her head with the preparations. She had left earlier for Diagon Alley to pick up their supplies and the house was observing the first minutes of calm after hours of relentless buzzing.

Sirius was more and more grumpy at the prospect of the house being empty once more but mostly because Harry was leaving. He was spending a lot of time with Buck in his mother's room. That's where Marla found him that morning.

"Hello, mister grumpy pant."

She entered the room, closing the door behind her. Sirius only glared at her while feeding Buck.

"You know, Harry is leaving soon but he's still here. You can mop later, for now you should enjoy the time that's left with him."

"I should get used to be alone again, shouldn't I?" He growled.

"Well, I wasn't planning on going anywhere, Remus either. Not sure they would admit us in Hogwarts.."

Sirius turned his head, visibly surprised.

"You're no going to the Burrow with the Weasley?" It was her turn to be surprised.

"What? You really think I want more uncomfortable situations? Please, I can't be going there. Plus, I kind of like it here..." she trailed off, meeting his eyes.

He smiled, petting Buck slowly.

"Alright, come on old man, you're going to spend some quality time with your godson."

He faked reluctance but she could see the smile hidden in his features.

They were descending the stairs when they heard Kreattur mumbling profanities in the drawing room. Harry was standing in front of him and it seemed that the elf did not realise he could hear all the insults he was throwing his way.

"Enough with your bile Kreattur! Go away!" Roared Sirius. Not daring to cross a direct order Kreattur left the room, muttering insults as he went.

"Sorry," smiled Sirius and walking toward Harry, "he never was kind, at least not to me."

Marla left the two, smiling to herself. Sirius had grown so accustomed of being alone, he didn't want to take the risk not to be but she knew they both needed the relation.

Marla walked down the corridor toward the kitchen after another nice chat with Mrs Black that consisted of the old lady screaming insults to her and Marla thanking her humorously.

Everyone was already sat for lunch when she reached the room.

She was about to take a seat when Ron's voice interrupted her.

"Does it not bother you Marla?"

"What does?" He was looking a bit hesitant.

"That she calls you a blood traitor. I heard you thanking her."

Marla let out a chuckle, taking a seat to answer the boy.

"No, no, it doesn't. If not being a blood traitor means following Voldemort and agreeing to his ideas then I am pretty proud to be one. It's a compliment really, means I'm fighting against his views and beliefs."

Ron stayed silent as if pondering her words.

"I think that's well said Marla! To being a blood traitor!" Exclaimed George, raising his glass of pumpkin juice eliciting chuckles from the table.

During the afternoon, Professor McGonagall visited 12 Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore had sent her to collect the dagger, being otherwise occupied and Marla was thrilled to see her favourite teacher again.