Sirius Black's Daughter

Chapter 3

It had been weeks since the zoo incident. Not a word had been said on the car ride back and the couple had dropped Ayra back at the orphanage before leaving quickly, she assumed quite eager to get away from her after what they had witnessed, and honestly, Ayra was rather relieved to see them go.
Minus being locked up in her room with no food for the next week and having to do extra chores, her punishment wasn't really all that bad.

It was now the 31st of July, and Ayra was up in her room when something outside caught her eye.

A cat had just walked through the gates of the orphanage. But that was not what attracted Ayra's attention. The cat had stopped a few feet from the gate, cocking its head both ways before transforming into a woman.

Ayra blinked. She rubbed at her eyes before leaning forward against the window, staring at the lady in shock.
She was dressed in robes like those described in storybooks, with a pointy hat to match. Her hair was in a tight bun, and she was clutching something Ayra couldn't quite make out in her hand.

What the -?

She watched as the cat-lady walked down the path leading up to the front steps of the orphanage, stopping right at the big entrance door before raising her hand.

At that moment, Ayra heard the brass knocker hit against the door, the knock echoing.

Ayra's heart beat faster.

She rushed out of her room and down the stairs, pausing at the end, peering round the corner.

The front door had been opened, the cat-lady standing outside it.

Ayra watched as Matron led the mysterious woman inside, offering her a seat which the lady declined.

Ayra leaned in, trying to listen in on what they were saying.  But her heart froze from what she heard next.

"I'm actually here to see Miss Black."

Fear gripped her. Was Matron going to send her away?

She tried to creep back up quietly, but in her haste forgot all about the creaky floorboard. She winced.

Ayra saw the two women's heads snap to her direction. Matron, her eyes narrowed tried to peer around the corner. Not really caring if she was quiet anymore,  Ayra raced upstairs, locking her bedroom door behind her.

Moments later however, she heard footsteps approaching, stopping right outside her door.

Someone rapped harshly on the door.
"Open up!" Came Matron's grim voice.

Ayra's eyes became as large as saucers.

The rapping on the door continued. "Open up I said!"

Knowing there was no use, she unlocked the door, pulling it open.  Matron's fist was in the air, about to knock again, a glare on her ugly face. Behind her was the cat-lady who was staring back at Ayra. For a moment, Ayra thought she saw pain flash in her eyes but then she blinked and it was gone, which made Ayra wonder if she hadn't imagined it.

Matron's face hardened. She grabbed Ayra's arm harshly. "Didn't you hear me knocking you insolent girl?!" Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she stared into Ayra's gray ones. Her grip tightened. "You were the one eavesdropping? Weren't you?!" She screamed in Ayra's face, shaking her harshly.

"Now," cut in the Cat-lady, throwing a reproachful look at Matron. " I don't think there's any need for that."

Matron flushed slightly. Though if out of anger or embarassment Ayra had no idea.
Still glaring, Matron released her arm.

"If you don't mind, I wish to have a word with Miss Black." The cat-lady continued. "Alone."

Matron eyed the lady suspiciously. She then turned to Ayra, shooting her one last dirty look before finally leaving.