Christmas Eve. A magical time for everyone. Even Grimmauld Place seemed cheerful with the silver paper chains and twinkling lights. A large tree sat in the living room and a bustle of people were littered through the narrow corridors of the town house. Kreacher cooked plates of foods both sweet and savoury in the kitchen, bowing to any guest that wandered through. Children sprinted around, playing games and getting overly excited.
After the birth of their first son, Walburga and Orion Black had volunteered to host the Christmas party to let Walburga rest in her own home. The Black family Matriarch stood in the nursery beside her best friend as they admired her baby boy.
"He's beautiful, Walburga," Victoria said as she looked down at the tiny baby in her arms. At just a month old, Sirius Black had thin black curls over his head, just like his older cousin Bellatrix had at that age. His large grey eyes were closed as he slept peacefully with his hands up by his face.
"He's quiet for once, which is nice." Walburga smiled softly as she gazed at her son, a sense of pride in her eyes. He was a happy child, trying so desperately to make any kind of noise he could at such a small size. "It's no wonder you lost the plot. I'm on my final straw, I'll swear to it."
Victoria gave a sort of half smile, deciding to keep her attention on the newborn. "It's a shame that I didn't hold Lucius at this age. It feels like I stole from myself. I'd do anything to be able to do it now."
"There can be other children." Walburga shrugged, stroking her fingers gently over the top of her son's head. His little face scrunched for a moment and then relaxed back into his tranquil expression. "Always useful to have a spare as my mother used to say."
"A spare?" Victoria chuckled, rocking the baby slightly as he began to stir. "But it won't be Lucius. I don't know if I'd have it in me, I feel like I've already given all I have for him. It wouldn't be the same."
"You love that boy too much." Walburga rolled her eyes as she kissed Victoria's cheek and turned to begin to wander around the nursery. "You never do anything in halves. Hate him with your whole soul, love him with all your heart. You can't give your whole heart to him, you'll be a mess when he turns eleven and has to leave you for most of the year."
"Oh don't even mention it." Victoria pouted as she placed the baby back into the cot. "It's only six more years, I can't stand it. It'll fly by far too quickly. I want my baby forever."
“Don't start gushing, I'll get competitive.” She chuckled lightly, leaning over the side of her son’s cot and stroking down his nose until he settled back into a gentle sleep. “My boy is the best.”
“He isn't doing anything yet.” Victoria poked her in the side as stepped past her towards the door.
“But he will,” Walburga teased, standing to follow. “And I'll have my son and you'll be waiting at home for an owl from Hogwarts.”
“Stop it.” Victoria whined and looped her arm with Walburga's. “He's not going, I'm keeping him at home forever.”
"Sap.” Walburga sighed as she walked with her friend, slipping her hand down to hold Victoria's instead to give them more movement in the narrow hallway. "Bella will be off first, just three years."
"Merlin's beard," Victoria exclaimed, her head snapping to Walburga. "You can't be serious."
"No, I'm his mother," Walburga smirked, giggling to herself as Victoria rolled her eyes. "But yes, three years. My, where did youth go."
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The adults gathered in the living room, glasses of wine and fire whiskey scattered about them as the children ran around playing whatever games they had come up with that day. The grand fireplace had two figures skating across the marble above a string of delicately fashioned paper chains of snowflakes. Cigar smoke lingered in the air as the burning end of one dangled in Obsidian Lestrange’s fingers beside Victoria. Being the youngest of the children, Narcissa Black wandered back and forth between the two groups like a running commentary throughout the day. On one occasion, she trotted in in her little green dress and climbed up onto the sofa, sandwiching herself between Obsidian and Victoria, and stood at Mrs Malfoy's shoulder.
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...
