A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 4

Part 2:

Chapter 4 –

August 30st, 1972

As the summer months passed and with school only a few days away, Lia found herself soaking up the sun by their Manors pool. Hoping to get a tan before school started, she had decided to wear her new purple swimsuit that her mother had gotten her over the summer.

A summer that in the beginning, had been dreadful. Over the month of July, Sirius did not send her one letter. She was filled with worry each day, hoping that Walburga didn't get her claws into her boy and that he just wasn't able to owl her. When the middle of August came around, she found herself so nervous that her house-elf, Mellie, had to slip calming draught into Lia's nightly tea. Only two weeks ago, Sirius finally showed up at their home, apologies falling from his lips. Lia ignored them, happy to just see him there, in her arms and in two pieces. Apparently, Walburga had cut off all communication between him and everyone after seeing what he did to his room. With Gryffindor colours spilling everywhere and posters of half-naked girls and motorcycles on the walls, she was livid when she couldn't seem to get them down.

Sirius said that he had to run away to be able to come here for the end of summer but knew that he would have to go back at Christmas time, despite Lia's protests.

"Miss Emilia?" Mellie said from Lia's left.

Lia turned towards the house-elf, smiling at her.

"Mellie, I've told you so many times to call me Lia," Lia argued, "I hate the name Emilia."

Mellie broke out into a fit, pointing a stern finger in Lia's direction.

"Mistress named you Emilia, a very pretty name, so that is what Mellie will call you," she proclaimed.

Lia rolled her eyes, but secretly loved the confidence and sass that Mellie possessed.

Her father grew up with Mellie, being a house-elf to the Potters for many years. Despite the way many other wizards mistreated their elves, the Potters treated Mellie like loyalty. She was more than welcome to come and go as she pleased, speak her mind, and punish the children if she deemed it fit. Mellie was family to Lia, and regardless of her parents telling Mellie that she did not need to look after them, Mellie refused saying that it was her duty and honour to take care of the Potters.

And since Mellie refused to be paid for her work, the family paid her back in gifts. Mellie loved receiving jumpers. She never cared what the size, colour or material was, she loved changing into a different jumper throughout the day. And if Mellie loved it, then Lia was more than happy to get her as many as she pleased.

A tray of cookies and milk was suddenly set in front of Lia, causing her to be shaken from her thoughts.

"Mistress said to bring you a snack. She also said to bring the boys one, but Mellie wants to punish them for the prank they did, so Mellie refused," Mellie matter of factly stated.

Lia laughed at that, thinking back to how the boys decided to switch the sugar for salt, ruining Mellie's cake that she was making.

"Well thank you Mellie, I appreciate it," Lia said, giving the elf a hug.

Mellie smiled before turning on her heel and running back inside the house.

Lia took a cookie off the plate, dunking it into the milk before she felt a shadow brush over her.

"Why didn't we get cookies?" Sirius pouted as he snagged one off Lia's plate.

Lia frowned at the boy, watching as he took a seat beside her, glancing up her body.