Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

... Tell Me

Mulciber Manor.

Late Summer, 1971.

Even among those who are in the habit of holding secret meetings, this one's an incredibly well kept secret.

It's a well-guarded, mysterious tradition, one that calls on the children of only the most elite to be present. It's a private meeting conducted every year just before summer turns to autumn.

And so, today the members of the rising Hogwarts class of 1978 find themselves assembled together behind closed doors awaiting what easily ranks as the most important meeting of their young lives.

Here now: Alecto and Amycus Carrow, Henry Mulciber, Emma Vanity, Pandora Selwyn, Regulus Black, and Evan Rosier.

Twelve year old Sirius Black received an invitation but refused to attend, to no one's surprise.

There are other children that could be here today - of course there are. But they didn't receive this invitation. This invitation's extremely exclusive. Just because you're pure-blooded or a member of the inner circle doesn't mean you'll get an invitation.

And so now, these seven eleven year old children are gathered together as they wait in the Mulciber family study.

As Reggie and Pandora sit side by side on a small sofa in the middle of the room, they periodically exchange nervous looks. Though they haven't spoken a single word to one another since walking through this door, they really don't have to. They're so close, so deeply connected, they understand each other perfectly just by sharing a quick glance.

Alecto and Emma stand leaned up against a desk, whispering bits of gossip to one another, trying to pretend as though they're completely unfazed. They're not fooling anyone, of course. They're hopelessly rattled, and it's extremely obvious.

Across the room, Evan Rosier's stood alone by the window, silently surveying the grounds through hateful, narrowed eyes. He's spent the entire summer alone, in the company of only his tutors and the family help. Alone, the same way he's been near continuously since he was just seven years old. But this week ... this week his mother and father have returned from the French Estate. This week, they're back in his life, the same way they are at every major holiday or event. And it goes without saying, Evan's completely miserable for it.

Mulciber's standing in the very centre of the room, trying to grab everyone's attention the same way he's been attempting for the past half hour. He's doing all the usual things; ribbing at everyone relentlessly, trying to outdo and goad them all on. And he's forced Amycus Carrow to stand there with him, bullied the tall shy boy into doing so. And now, as they stare at one another, Henry's hand suddenly darts out and slaps the side of Amycus's head with tremendous force. As he laughs with amusement, Amycus suddenly snaps, to everyone's shock. Eyes narrowing, he leaps forward and attempts to slap Henry back. The two of them, tangled now, hit the floor and begin wrestling. Turning from his post at the window, Evan finally cracks, "Will you two CEASE?!"

At this, both boys freeze, their eyes whipping up to Evan's.

Pushing Amycus off him roughly, Mulciber rises to his feet, "Don't tell me what to do, Evan. Don't dare."

"Then don't be such a complete idiot, Henry."

Mulciber's face twists angrily as he stalks over to Evan. Now, absolutely everyone's attention's on what might happen next.

"Why don't you fight me, Evan? Let's duel. For real."

Upon hearing this, Alecto claps her hands excitedly, "Oooh! Evan! Do it, Evan!"

"No."

Sneering, Mulciber sticks his chin out at Evan, "And why not? Scared?"

Mulciber's asked Evan for a duel too many times to count. But Evan keeps steadfastly refusing. He's never once accepted. And he fears the day their fathers force them into it.