Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

A Black Family Dinner

12 Grimmauld Place.

1971.

"I'd marry Evan."

At this, Walburga Black's heart nearly stops completely - and though she resists the urge to scream, she's so shocked she can't help but drop her wine glass. Sure enough, it falls to the floor and shatters.

From his place next to his brother, twelve year old Sirius Black begins howling with uncontrollable laughter. Flying to her feet, the waif thin witch smacks her bony hand forcefully down upon the table, "You. Silence, you!"

Shrugging irreverently, Sirius just shifts back in his seat, still shaking with amusement.

Ignoring her older son, she fixes her entire focus back on Regulus. Leaning threateningly over the table, she glares down at her youngest son, "Say - it - again."

Suddenly scared, Regulus shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"SAY IT AGAIN!"

He's not used to this; he can't count the number of times his mother's gotten angry like this at Sirius. But him?

Never.

Never, ever.

His mother's never even so much as raised her voice to him.

The three of them had just sat down for an early dinner, and with her and Orion's wedding anniversary tomorrow, the topic of marriage naturally came up. That's when Reggie let slip the ill-received statement.

Not wanting to displease his mother, ever obedient, eleven year old Reggie now whispers softly, "... I'd marry Evan?"

"Orion! Orion, get in here this instant!"

For a few seconds, the three of them cock their ears expectantly in the direction of further down the hall where Orion's private study is situated. But as usual, nothing. Not a single sound, not a hint of life; only silence.

Sighing impatiently, Sirius leans forward in his seat, hissing contemptuously at his mother, "He's gone out. Been gone for hours. Though of course I wouldn't expect you to notice such a thing."

Wheeling back towards him, the furious witch, already at her breaking point, shrieks back, "I SAID SILENCE! Another peep and I'll -"

"- You won't. We both know you won't. Those days, those days long past."

Hands waving in the air, she blocks him back out and pounds on her fist on the table, "Regulus Arcturus Black! Do you have any idea ..."

He doesn't. Even though he's eleven, he's incredibly naive for his age. Quite the late bloomer, quite unfathomably innocent when it comes to the nuances of the world around him. And Sirius? Literally the complete opposite. Absolutely worldly, absolutely years beyond his age when it comes to such wisdoms.

So what Reggie just said?

He really meant it, and he truly has no idea why it'd be a cause for his mother to be so upset.

"Repeat it, Regulus. Come on, once more."

Again?

A third time?

... Why?!

Now completely awash in a thick feeling of shame and confusion, Reggie begins pinching his fingers nervously beneath the table, "I said ..."

Straightening up, Walburga Black towers over him menacingly, "Go on, boy. Out with it."

A deep breath and he forces himself to repeat it again, this time very quickly, this time his heart racing with fear, "I said ... I'd marry Evan."