A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 15

Part 2:

Chapter 15 –

December 4th, 1975

It had been three days since Sirius' attack, and the Potters found themselves back at the manor, the injured boy with them. Lia and Sirius hadn't talked about their kiss, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. He had bigger things to work through before they talked about it, even if it meant Lia running through the action in her head over and over again while they were in limbo.

Octavia had arranged to meet with Sirius' uncle Alphard today after he had sent an owl asking what had happened to his nephew. Despite hating the rest of his family, Lia actually found that she liked Alphard, he reminded her of an older Sirius.

Lia watched as Mellie opened the front door, moving back to let Alphard in.

"Hello Mr. Black," Mellie said as she bowed towards him.

Alphard looked surprised but showed no malice on his face, "Hello there, how are you today?"

Lia's likeness for Alphard grew more, liking that he respected house-elves enough to treat them like humans.

"Fine, thank you," Mellie stated, "Mistress and Master are waiting for you in the den, Miss Emilia will show you where it is."

Lia chuckled at the elf, loving how she was confident enough to order Lia around. Standing to greet Alphard, Lia stuck her hand out to him, "Hello Mr. Black."

Alphard pushed her hand aside, pulling Lia in for a hug. Not expecting it, she couldn't help but stand there awkwardly, her hand resting lightly on his back before he stepped away.

"Thank you, Lia," He spoke.

Lia nodded her head at his words, glad that someone in the Black family cared about Sirius' well-being. As she motioned for him to follow her, Alphard asked, "and where is my nephew?"

Lia sighed, "sleeping. It's all he's been doing since we got home."

Sympathy took over his face, shaking his head at the thought of the situation.

"Take care of him for me Lia, please," He pleaded.

"I promise," Lia responded, opening the doors to the den.

Octavia and Fleamont smiled at their daughter, nodding their heads towards the visitor behind her.

"Hello Alphard, how do you do?" Octavia sweetly asked.

Alphard nodded at her, "Octavia," before nodding at Lia's father, "Fleamont. I'm doing okay, though I would like to know what happened to Sirius."

Octavia sighed before motioning for him to take the seat across from them. Lia stood firm in her spot, refusing to leave.

"Do sit Lia," Octavia ordered, "I know that you are sneaky enough to eavesdrop, so you might as well attend this meeting."

Lia smiled at her mother, loving that she knew her so well, before taking a seat on the couch that was in the middle of all the adults.

Octavia sat back down, looking towards her husband.

"Sirius was attacked by death eaters," Fleamon started, his worry over the past few days starting to show, "Voldemort tried to mark him."

Alphard didn't look shocked at this, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"I had heard rumours, but I was hoping that they were wrong," he admitted.

Octavia nodded, before continuing, "Waburga offered Sirius up to him, and stood back as Bellatrix repeatedly crucio'd him, before Walburga herself almost killed him by the orders of Voldemort."