Filthy Purebloods | ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵘˢ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏ

The Black Household

It was officially Summer and the first rain of the season seemed to fit the mood of the day. The day the Finch family was going to visit the Black household.

To say Sidra was dreading it would be an understatement. She fiddled with the pendant around her neck - she hadn't taken it off since Marina had given it to her because a nagging feeling - probably just paranoia - told her she was going to need it at some point.

"Sidra, let's go!" Her mother called from downstairs.

She straightened out her dress and spared one last glance at the raindrops racing down her window before going to meet her parents downstairs.

They joined hands - something that was avoided unless strictly necessary - to Apparate. "Remember your table manners, everyone." Vera chimed in before they dispersed. The world spiralled around Sidra, seeming to turn her inside out before it all just ceased.

They stood outside a dour building - 12 Grimmauld Place. It was drab and grey, which may have made it seem inconspicuous to others but to Sidra, it stood out. Regulus was raised in this apparent hellhole (as Sirius had called it once).

Vera stepped forward and grabbed the silver knocker, banging it thrice on the door. It creaked open, revealing an ugly house elf who greeted them with a bow before stepping aside.

Her parents paused to admire the foyer but Sidra marched on, following the sound of voices through a narrow passageway. She pushed open a door and was met with the sight of Sirius and Walburga mid-argument. The veins in her neck pulsed and his face was red as a tomato, but when they noticed her they regained their composure.

Walburga plastered a small smile onto her lips but it looked strange on her face, as if not fitted correctly. "You must be Sidra. You've grown up so much since I last saw you." She patted her head. "Excuse me, I have guests to attend to but I'll see you in the living room." She pushed past her and out of the kitchen.

"I'm sorry you had to walk in on that," Sirius said, moving to her side. "But if you plan on staying for dinner I suggest you get used to it." He looked at the walls in disgust.

Sidra shook her head and rested her hand on his arm. "You have a lovely house."

"Yes, pity about the residents, though." He coughed out a laugh. "Terribly sorry you have to be here."

"I'm not sorry."

"Not yet." He grinned. "Come on, we'd better greet everyone before the hag has another meltdown."

Sidra smiled, fearing that his mother may have heard him and not daring to laugh in case she heard that too.

She followed Sirius through a passageway and into the dining room. It was full and loud with chatter. At the far end of the long table sat Bellatrix Black - she had been a seventh year when Sidra first started at Hogwarts. It was rumoured that she was a bit mad and hearing her manic laughter only proved it. Sidra was glad they had never crossed paths before.

She spotted her parents mingling from their seats, laughing as if with old friends. Sidra took a seat across from them, next to Sirius and although there were many new faces she could focus on, one lingered in the front of her mind. There was a vacant seat on Sirius's other side. Where was Regulus?

Just as she was about to ask, he walked in. He wore a charcoal suit and, despite having seen him a mere week ago, his hair looked longer. He walked quickly to his seat and sat down without a word.

She kept stealing glances at him. Regulus looked absolutely gorgeous, she was unable to tear her eyes from him and was somewhat grateful for the barrier Sirius created between them.