Children of Sin

Chapter 14

November 8th, 1992.

"Happy birthday," Monsieur Leopold wished Victor as he left the potion classroom, "it's not everyday you turn thirteen."

"Thank you Monsieur Leopold," Victor lowered his head in thanks, "have an excellent rest of your day."

"You as well," Leopold waved Victor off, and the dark haired boy began to head to History. The class was taught by Monsieur Derric Glick, a man Victor had grown to despise. He made it perfectly clear that he didn't like Victor, and Victor was all too willing to do the same.

"Vic!" Lèon, Victor's best friend, called, "what did the teacher need from you?"

"Just wished me a happy birthday," Victor responded, "let's get to history. Glick will take any opportunity to give us infractions."

"His only redeeming quality is he's a good teacher," Lèon sighed, "let's go."

Layla is seen sitting in the hall, a somber look on her face. Jean is rattling off beside her, but her words were going in one ear and out the other.

"Hey Layla," a classmate, Anita Solas, "isn't that your eagle?"

Indeed, Asteria was tearing through the hall, wings flapping harshly in order to reach Layla quicker.

"It still amazes me every time," Remus shook his head, "how can an eagle be tamed like that?"

"Beats me," Peter shrugged, "is it really that cool?"

"Fair enough Pete," Remus sighed, "I guess I'll just have to get used to it."

"Is that from your mother?" Jean glanced over at the package that Asteria had delivered, "it would make sense timing wise."

"No," Layla smiled slightly, "I sent Asteria overseas to do something for me a while ago. She's only just returned. I'll have to look these over and send them to Maman."

"What are they?" Jean peeked into the box, "they seem to be potions."

"Close," Layla held them up to the light, "it's a drink that my friend's mother drinks. I'm sending it to my mother for analysis. I suspected it's poisoned."

"She's keeping her word," Elena Prewett smiled, "wonderful. Perhaps Mrs. Nott can still be saved."

"What?" Jean's jaw dropped, "why do you have poison?"

"I don't have poison," Layla sighed, she really didn't hear a word she'd just said, "my friend described a sickness his mother had, and I suspected it was a result of a certain poison. So I told him to send me a sample of what she's drinking and eating, so my mother can analyze it and, perhaps, make a cure."

"Oh," Jean seemed to finally grasp what Layla had meant, "I hope his mother gets better."

"Me too," Layla looks over the samples once more, before re-attaching the package to Asteria's legs, "bring this to Maman please."

"How's my lovely baby sister doing?" Damian appeared behind her, beginning to massage her shoulders.

"I'm fine Damian," Layla smiled, "happy birthday big brother."

"Happy birthday little sister," Damian pressed a kiss to his sister's forehead, "may the rest of your days be as wonderful as today."

"May you shine like gold for eternity," Layla wished back, confusing the people around her.

"May you two live out your days gracefully," Victor suddenly appeared, wishing another strange wish.

"It must be a tradition of sorts," Regulus muttered to himself, "like how Sirius and I would write poetry for each other's birthdays. Why did he have to go to the other side? Why did he have to be a blood traitor?"