A hand the size of her palm. Bellatrix Black had been a small baby. She had hair already, tiny black curls covered her head in wisps so soft it was barely believable. Large dark eyes stared up at Victoria as she held Druella's first child in her arms. Cygnus Black had not been granted his wish and instead had been blessed with a daughter.
The Black Family Manor was a ridiculously large house in Oxfordshire. An extravagance of wealth that boasted to the rest of the Wizarding World that they were at the top, that the Blacks held all the power. Long curtains of thick dark green fabric hung over the windows, held back with golden hooks at either side. A leather sofa stretched out in front of the ornately carved, ivory fireplace with complimentary chairs around a central table in a sitting room.
“Where's Tom?” Cygnus asked, arms crossed over his chest as he stood in a three piece suit beside Orion.
“Russia I think,” Victoria said absently, feeling the weight of Bellatrix in her arms with the baby's head resting at her elbow.
“A poor man's freedom I suppose.” He sighed quietly enough that Victoria could pretend she didn't hear him. “Not going with him this time? You travel a lot, don't you?”
“Yes,” She said, stroking a finger over the white frills of the baby's dress. “Britain is such a small island, this is our world, we have the right to go out and see it.”
Orion scoffed, lifting their attention to him. “Septimus Malfoy's precious daughter gallivanting like a travelling show girl, I don't know if my father would have laughed or gloated.”
“Orion,” Walburga snapped, a glare quickly hardening her expression. “Septimus dismissed Arcturus’ proposal for you and Victoria over a decade ago, the dispute is over.”
“Watch yourself woman,” Orion said coldly. The little boy who used to pout at being snapped at had disappeared, a man fully enveloped by his role in society in his place. “You're speaking to the next head of your family and your husband.”
Walburga's jaw clenched, her anger clear as Druella shuffled on her feet. She could scream and shout until Pollux Black left his study and came marching to the sound but there was no guarantee of his defence. The master of the house was more likely to scold his daughter for her unladylike manner. The baby grumbled in the tense silence.
"She's beautiful, Druella." Victoria spoke through a strained smile as the baby girl wrapped her tiny fingers around one of her fingers. Arguing with Orion would come to nothing, it would only make Walburga's day harder.
"Isn't she just," Druella cooed, accepting her daughter back as Victoria handed her over. "I wasn't sure how I'd feel but I can't stop looking at her. Her hair is just like Cygnus’, she's going to be a wonderful sister to her brother's when they come."
Victoria offered a smile and kept her attention on Druella as Cygnus pushed a glass of fire whiskey at his cousin. With a grumble, Orion seemed to relax as he sat back on the leather sofa, a sour look on his face.
A hand snaked around Victoria's waist and Walburga pulled her back from the baby. She hugged her friend from behind, leaning her chin on Victoria's shoulder as her arms tightened around her waist.
"It's her Ladyship's birthday," Walburga said, holding onto Victoria like a child with a soft toy. "Will you be joining us, Druella? I intend to empty out the cellar."
"Despicable." Druella rolled her eyes with a smirk as she rocked Bellatrix in her arms. "The pair of you. Married women partying like children."
"We'll drink less if you're with us." Victoria smiled, leaning back into Walburga. "Take the night off, Druella, we can spend it together."
YOU ARE READING
The Fearsome Name of Riddle
Fanfiction"I had to sit in this house and watch him destroy her. Do you really want to hear all of that?" ##### In the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts, an old photograph is found, revealing the life of a young witch that had been lost with the memories of...
