UPTOWN GIRL | Marauders Era

15 | small steps forward

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HER GREAT AUNT'S SON HAD DIED. It was in the paper, smoothed between her hands and pressed flat against the Slytherin table. Vaudeline read it over her shoulder, and Perenelle could feel her sister's shoulders stiffen as her eyes raked over the Prophet's front page.

AUROR CHARLUS POTTER FOUND DEAD! IS THERE A LEAK IN THE MINISTRY? SEE PAGE FOURTEEN FOR THE MINISTRY ANALYSTS' THOUGHTS...

"Why didn't grandfather mention it in his letter?" Perenelle mused, biting her lip in confusion as Vaudeline shook her head,

"I don't know... maybe they didn't know, aunt Dorea has always been a recluse"

Her family— certainly it's higher ranking members being unaware of a Black-related death was highly unlikely, though her sisters words weren't a lie.

Similar to their uncle Orion's sister Lucretia, their great aunt Dorea had tied herself far more closely with her husband's family after her marriage. It made sense, marriage was essentially a transfer of families, and Perenelle did not see her often. Only large holidays, like Yule occasionally. In fact she had only met her cousin Charlus (named after his father) a handful of times, though he was nearly fifteen years her senior.

Still, it was odd that nothing had been said. She knew that her grandfather was close with his sisters, and since great aunt Cass had never married Charlus was his only nephew, whom he doted upon.

Though her grandfather and his sisters did have another sibling. Whoever they were their face (and name) was blasted off of the family tapestry far before Perenelle was born. It was never spoken of— and she never asked questions.

"He was an auror..." Damien began sheepishly, unwilling to look either sister in the eye.

Marceline looked incredibly uncomfortable, and shifted in between Damien and Antonin. Though it was Toni who finished Damien's sentence— far less cautiously.

"Perhaps he forgot his place in society, and fell into the wrong sorts, Salazar knows the propaganda being fed to aurors, even those of pure blood" He spat aurors as though it was a dirty word, and just as Perenelle realized Toni's insinuation Vaudeline had gripped the wooden table.

"How dare you suggest that my aunt's son was a blood traitor" She whispered— quite venomously.

"I'm only saying—"

"— I know what you're saying and we will hear none of it!" Perenelle realized that by we Vaudeline was referring to her as well, "Don't speak of "place", he was a Black— half at least. He knew his place and that certainly was not the cause!"

The group of friends had lapsed into silence, breakfast forgotten, and Perenelle found herself eyeing the Gryffindor table across the hall. She didn't know why she did it— though the second her and Sirius had made eye contact she quickly broke it, her throat suddenly hoarse.

He too held the paper in his hands, and for their brief eye contact it seemed as though her cousin was asking did you know?

Though as established, she did not.

Furthermore, Sirius was comforting a crestfallen James, and Perenelle found herself with a startling realization.