A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 3: Chapter 9

Part 3: 

Chapter 9 - 

March 27, 1997

Lia plastered a smile onto her face as Sirius walked into the dining room, his suspicious eyes roaming over her figure clad in an apron before reaching her face that beamed his way. She walked over his way, pecking him on the cheek before pulling his normal chair out and gesturing for him to take a seat.

"Good morning, love," her cheery voice was fake to even her own ears, "breakfast should be ready any minute according to Mellie."

Sirius slowly walked towards the outstretched chair, his eyes never leaving her, "would you like a cuppa coffee or tea this morning?" She asked, reaching towards the two cups on the table that she had made for him moments before and shoved both options his way.

Her smile slightly faltered as Sirius slowly reached towards the cup of coffee, leaving her to drink the tea, but his eyes still never her as a frown etched onto his face, watching as she took a seat across form him in the seat that she had been sitting at since childhood.

She pretended not to notice his stare, loud whistles leaving her lips as she spooned a bit of sugar into her tea, muttering a heating spell to warm the liquid up to her liking before raising the cup to her lips and taking a sip, suddenly fascinated in the crowning of the Manors dining room.

"Darling," Sirius muttered to her from across the table, "you don't have to pretend as if you're fine."

Lia squeezed her eyes shut, relishing in the moment of pain before she turned towards Sirius with the smile plastered on her face again, putting every ounce of happiness into her voice as she responded, "I don't have to pretend, I am okay."

Sirius' jaw clicked at her response, "Lia, we both know what today is, and it's oka-"

He was cut off by the sound of Mellie, her form entering the dining room as the plates of food floated behind her. Lia silently thanked the elf for her impeccable timing, not wanting to get stuck in a conversation about her feelings with Sirius, not today.

"Mellie made a meal that both the young Potters loved," Mellie cheeringly stated, placing the plates onto the table with her magic, "Kippers, eggy bread, crumpets, beans and toast, and then Mistress Emilia's favourite," she gestured towards the scones on the table, "tattie scones."

Despite her attempt to be happy today, she felt the emotions that she had dug deep down try to crawl out of her, her throat suddenly feeling tighter than it had that morning. She knew that Mellie and Sirius' eyes were on her, continuing to let her own roam the table as she packed away those emotions once again, blinking rapidly to rid of the misting tears that were filling her eyes.

Once she felt she had gotten control of herself again, she looked towards Mellie with a soft smile, thankful to the elf for all she had done despite wishing that people would stop treating her like a plate of glass today.

"Thank you, Mellie," she softly said, "he would have loved it as much as I do."

Mellie gleamed at the eldest Potter, "Mellie knows that he would have loved it!" She said, "now eat up, you too Master Black! Mellie is happy to be making your favourite meals again after so long."

Despite her appetite being non-existent, she still reached out to pile her plate high with food, knowing that Mellie had been alone for so many years and that the elf was just happy to have her family back home, even if it was smaller than before.

"This is delicious Mellie," Sirius cut through the slight tension, "are you going to be joining us today?"

Mellie shook her head, already taking off her apron before responding, "not today, Mellie has plans to meet up with Dobby, if that is alright?" Her gaze directed towards Lia.