Constellations of Black

Chapter 65

Weeks passed, with Cetus and his friends teaching Lyra about the Order while Umbridge maintained her stricken authority—weeks of the four planning how and where to practice Defense charms. Weeks since the twins had heard from their father, whether it was in the Daily Prophet or letters. Winter was upon them, and soon everyone would be going home for Christmas. Hermione, Ron, and Harry had promised to keep it a secret, since for them, Lyra walked behind Harry, Ron, and Hermione; Cetus was off somewhere in Hogsmeade with Luna.

"This is mad. Who'd want to be taught by me?" Harry whined, "I'm a nutter, remember?"

Lyra frowned; he was nearly as proficient in Defense as Cetus and Lyra were.

"Cetus and I don't want to teach it. You're the best option and have the most experience," Lyra shrugged.

"Look on the bright side: you can't be any worse than the old toad face," Ron tried to be slightly more positive.

"Thanks, Ron."

"I'm here for you, mate," Ron replied.

The group of four walked towards Hog's Head.

"Who's supposed to be meeting us, then?" Harry questioned.

"Just a couple of people," Hermione answered.

"I would say dear Cetus would, but who truly knows since he's with Luna," Lyra sighed. Hermione opened the door to Hog's Head.

"Lovely spot," Ron mumbled. Lyra rolled her eyes, casting another warming spell on herself.

The bartender stared at them as Lyra pushed through Ron and Hermione to escape the cold.

"Well, come on then. I'm getting out of the cold," Lyra mumbled, watching a goat walk to another building section.

"Thought it would be safer off the beaten track," Hermione answered as the barman chased after the goat.

"Reminds me of some of the places back on the continent or like Snape's classroom," Lyra thought absent-mindedly.

"Matey, come back here," The bartender called from the other room.

Narcissa paced the library; the mixture of ancestorial books provided her little comfort in the quiet room. Lucius was down the corridor in his study, having a private meeting with Mr Nott and two other Death Eaters, and completely oblivious to his wife's growing restlessness. Grimmauld Palace, which was occupied by Sirius and other visitors, gave her nowhere to take her mind off of the fact that the Dark Lord had returned. The children were still at Hogwarts for a few more weeks, keeping them away from potential involvement with Death Eaters.

Regulus had written about Kreacher's complaints over Sirius staying at Grimmauld and that Sirius had found out the truth. The idea of Sirius knowing he had a niece and nephew made Narcissa's stomach twist; if Sirius knew, how long until his visitors found out the truth? She could envision the reactions, the whispered conversations, and the inevitable fallout once it was found out. It felt like a storm brewing on the horizon, threatening to upend Regulus and the twins' carefully constructed strand of lies. Her mind raced with the possible implications, each scenario worse than the last.

Cissa walked towards the windows, staring outside, trying to ease the ever-growing apprehension pitted in her stomach and mind. Winter had come quickly to Wiltshire, enveloping the landscape in a shimmering blanket of snow. She pressed her fingers to the frosty window, the cold glass pane grounding Narcissa.

The garden, usually vibrant and full of life, now lay dormant under the weight of winter. The hedges, once meticulously trimmed and green, were now reduced to skeletal forms, their branches twisting and curling like arthritic fingers. Powdery snow clung to them, only to fall in delicate cascades whenever a gust of wind stirred the air. The flower bushes, once a riot of colour and fragrance, were now mere shadows of their former selves. Their blooms had long since withered, leaving behind only spiralling branches, etched in snow.