SIRIUS & REGULUS (love triangle plot w/OC)
From the noble house of black.
✯ to fall from grace ✯
PHRASE
If someone falls from grace, they suddenly stop being successful or popular.
(in Christian belief) descend from a state of divine favour into si...
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A FOREST FIRE, Grace's POV. ———
"And you remember," Nana said adjusting the buttons of my jacket, one a little looser than the others, which made her frown. "You have every right to scream, shout and cry as much as you want. I won't let them kick you out."
Between Christmas Eve and the new years Nana decided I needed motivation. Motivation to embrace my anger and let it demand to be seen. Many conversations taking place over her peaceful yoga sessions, ironically.
Nana was very much into new age feminism and what it truly meant to be a woman.
To Nana, a woman can't be repressed as long as she recognises her power and isn't afraid to push against what attempts to restrain her. Which supposedly translates into, 'realising I have the power over Hogwarts for their lack of safeguarding, meaning I can push as much as I want to get my questions answered. Unless I just want to move on, and then even if I tear the place apart to do so, that is my right'.
I didn't want to agree. I often found Nana's rebellious nature and inability to conform a little grating at times. A bit embarrassing. How she could never seem to be neutral and always had something to say, despite its consequences. But I did agree. Or at least I felt oddly comforted by her support towards a hypothetical rebellion.
But was it hypothetical?
The second I could see the crowd of students begin to make their way through King's Cross and how my trunk sat crooked on the trolley, Ellie being wheeled with it and too lazy to walk, something started to rhythmically thump in my chest.
Similarly to war drums.
"A girl is only just a girl when she forgets one day she'll be a woman." Nana said as if I'd understand. A quote from one of her self-help books, I could assume.
I obviously looked as if I wasn't following the message she was attempting to send.
"And as women, we are as important as fire to a forest. Through destruction, there is rebirth. Don't let rules distinguish your fire. Rules were created after that flame." She gently prodded where my heart continued to beat to a fighting rhythm.
Her message settled and I couldn't help but let a small smirk begin to sink deeply into my face. A concealed laugh, breaking the seal of my tightly pressed lips.
"You're not telling her to set fire to that forest, are you?" Ellie said. Not following and knowing about the forbidden forest.
Both Nana and I laughed.
"What's so funny?" Ellie scoffed, not liking being laughed at, nor understanding why.
I gave Ellie a playful push off of my trunk, but quickly pulled her in for a sisterly hug before she fell. Then planted a quick kiss on her forehead. Which she instantly wiped off.
"I'll try and send a letter when I can." I said to both of them. Taking over the trolley that Nana insisted to push.
"If I get one from the school first, I'll assume you're doing well and what's needed for you." Nana laughed, being a bad influence as per usual.
I laughed too but shrugged her off.
"I have to go." I couldn't stop smiling, despite my underlying anxiety and disinterest in going back to Hogwarts.
"You show them who us Scott women are!" Nana raised her first to the air.
"We're Webb's." Ellie corrected.
"You came from me before your mother, missy."
"Well thank god for Dad." Ellie joked, rolling her eyes. Which we all knew was a joke towards Nana's red hair and ours being brown.
Nana playfully slapped her around the back of the head, but pulled her in for a cuddle. Now holding out an arm for me, also.
I instantly let go of the trolley and ran into her free arm, also grabbing Ellie with my other. The three of us smiled into our huddle, after too little time together. But time that felt so much needed, despite how rest wasn't always available to me.
I felt grounded again. Deep rooted and in remembrance of who I am and how I have been raised to be.
A young woman without a silenced voice. Realising that I have felt silenced since the forest, my memories quite literally being robbed from me with my voice.
"What's a little shouting in a castle, ay?" I said whilst pulling away from their hug.
Nana winked at me and Ellie seemed as if she was swallowing down a smile, pretending not to care that I was leaving once again.
"I love you both." I said, more seriously.
"Whatever." Ellie said but the corners of her mouth twitched into a smile, and I knew in her mind she said it back.
"We love you, darling." Nana said for the both of them.
I returned to the trolley, longingly looking at both my Nana and my little sister, still wondering what life would be like if I didn't have to go away like this.
"You know," Nana said looking thoughtful. As if she had just caught something I had missed. Whilst Ellie now stared down a student who had wandered past whispering, wearing a murderous expression I had come to realise was now common for her. "To be given a reputation, a name, is to be given power. Even if it's derogatory."
"Forest freak?" I asked, going for the most common one.
Ellie's eyes flashed with sisterly protection, and I knew I had guessed the right one.
"If people are paying attention, maybe it is time you show them who you are. Force them to see something you want them to, they're watching anyway."
"Set fire to that forest, freak." Ellie finally cracked a proper smile.
