Eternal Despair (Harry Potter/OC)

𝟙: Back To The Old House

In a dimly lit room with dark, imposing walls, Enzo lay sprawled on his king-sized bed. The radio on his bedside table softly played "Stairway to Heaven," filling the room with a haunting melody. Suddenly, the serene atmosphere was disrupted by the sound of an owl hooting outside his window.

Enzo slipped on his slippers and made his way to the window. There, perched on the sill, was his owl, Nyx, with mail attached to her leg.

"There, there, girl," Enzo murmured, gently stroking the black owl's head before untying the letters.

"Still nothing from Harry, huh," he muttered to himself as he placed the letters on his desk and began sorting through them.

He and Ron had a suspicion that Harry's silence had something to do with his family. They had been trying to devise a plan to help him ever since. They had attempted to enlist Hermione's help, but she had quickly dismissed their plans. Thus, the two boys continued brainstorming on their own.

Their main scheme, if it went off without a hitch, would require Enzo to travel to Ron's house, where they hoped to see Harry for the first time since the summer holidays began.

"What are you doing?" a light voice suddenly asked, startling Enzo. He quickly hid the letters under his desk.

He turned to see his younger sister, who shared many of his features, standing in the doorway. Recognizing her, he groaned and replaced the letters on the desk.

"Nothing, mind your own business."

"Whatever, grandmother says dinner is ready. You can talk to your Gryffindor friends later," she retorted, leaving the door ajar.

Enzo sighed, stashed the letters under his pillow, and got up from his chair. As he made his way to the grand dining hall, he passed several portraits of his ancestors, who eyed him curiously, just as they had been doing since his return.

The dining table was laden with food, and at the far end sat his grandmother, with his sister seated a few chairs down.

"What took you so long?" demanded Walburga Black.

"I was just resting," Enzo replied, taking a seat opposite his sister.

His grandmother had been cold towards him ever since his return to the manor. Enzo often wondered how she had reacted when his father was sorted into Gryffindor. Sometimes, he caught her looking at him as though she were seeing someone else.

With the word "Gryffindor" being practically forbidden in the household, Enzo found little to discuss with her. Their conversations usually revolved around the sacrifices their ancestors had made, which Enzo interpreted as a veiled warning to avoid associating with the wrong sort of people-a warning that came too late for him.

Aurora, his younger sister by a year, was chattering excitedly about her upcoming first year at Hogwarts. Unlike her older brother, Aurora was an ardent believer in blood superiority. Enzo was certain she would be sorted into Slytherin.

More pressing matters occupied his mind. With Hogwarts reopening in two weeks, Enzo needed to figure out a way to escape to the Weasleys' without drawing attention. Given the way he had been treated lately, he doubted anyone would notice if he left immediately.

After dinner, he rushed back to his bedroom and began packing his essentials for Hogwarts. He grabbed the cage where Nyx was sleeping.

"Where are you going, young master?" Freeky, one of the Black family's house-elves, appeared out of nowhere.

"To a friend's," Enzo replied.

"You can't! Mistress will undoubtedly be furious," Freeky exclaimed.

"Shh! Tell her where I've gone when she asks," Enzo instructed, thinking to himself, if she asks.

Freeky gave him a worried look before disappearing. Ensuring no one was around, Enzo took his bag and quietly made his way out.

"I can't believe we have another one. The day that Sirius boy was born was the end of our family," one of the portraits muttered.

"How could Walburga let him sleep in these walls!" The one next to him retorted.

Enzo heard them as he slipped out of the manor, he started walking forward without looking back.