Echoes of the Black Manor Part 1

Chapter 5

Sirius nodded, still leaning against his mother, his breathing finally beginning to calm. Regulus watched his brother, feeling a pang of sympathy. Despite everything, the fear was still there, lurking in the corners of his mind. But seeing his parents' efforts to comfort and protect them made him feel a little safer, a little stronger.

For now, at least, they were together, and that was enough to keep the darkness at bay. As the first light of dawn broke through the curtains, the oppressive darkness of the night began to recede, taking with it the shadows and fears that had haunted the manor. The sun cast a soft, golden glow over the room, chasing away the lingering chill.

Sirius and Regulus had managed to fall into an uneasy sleep, curled up on the couch with their heads resting against each other. In the morning light, they looked peaceful, their expressions finally relaxed, though the dark circles under their eyes hinted at the restless night they’d endured. Together, they had faced the unknown, and together they had found a semblance of peace, at least until night fell once more.

Walburga sat in a nearby armchair, still watching over her sons. She hadn’t slept, her eyes heavy with fatigue, but she was unwilling to leave them alone, even for a moment. Orion stood by the window, peering out into the garden, the faint remnants of a frown still etched on his face. He hadn’t heard any more noises after the tapping had stopped, but his instincts kept him on edge. He scanned the tree line, his eyes narrowing as he searched for any sign of movement.

The quiet of the morning was a stark contrast to the fear of the night before. The birds began to chirp outside, and the soft rustle of leaves in the morning breeze brought a sense of calm to the manor. The ordinary sounds of the day felt like a balm to their frayed nerves, pushing back the lingering tension.

Sirius stirred, blinking awake as the sunlight touched his face. For a moment, he was disoriented, his mind still trapped in the anxiety of the night. Then he felt Regulus’s shoulder against his, the warmth of his brother’s presence, and he relaxed slightly. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and looked around. Seeing his mother in the chair, her face drawn but soft with concern, he felt a wave of gratitude. The fear from the night before seemed distant, like a bad dream.

“Morning,” Sirius mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

Walburga smiled at him, her eyes lighting up with relief. “Good morning, love,” she said softly. “How are you feeling?”

Sirius stretched, feeling the stiffness in his limbs from sleeping on the couch. “Better, I think,” he said, glancing at Regulus, who was still dozing beside him. “It’s quieter now.”

Orion turned from the window, his expression softening at the sight of his son awake and calmer. “The daylight helps,” he said. “Whatever it was, it seems to be gone for now.”

Regulus shifted, his eyes fluttering open. He yawned, stretching out his legs, and looked around. The sight of his family, safe and together, brought a small smile to his face. “Morning,” he greeted, his voice still drowsy.

“Morning, Regulus,” Orion replied, walking over to join them. He sat on the edge of the couch, placing a reassuring hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “How are you?”

Regulus shrugged, the weight of the night still lingering in his thoughts. “Okay, I guess,” he said. “It’s just... that tapping noise. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Sirius nodded in agreement, the memory of the sound making him shiver. “Do you think it will come back?” he asked, his voice quiet.

Orion exchanged a glance with Walburga, then looked back at his sons. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But we’ll be ready if it does. I’ll strengthen the wards, and we’ll keep watch tonight. You two don’t have to worry. We’ll keep you safe.”

Walburga leaned forward, taking Sirius’s hand in hers. “Why don’t we have breakfast together?” she suggested, her tone light, trying to lift their spirits. “A nice hot meal will make us all feel better.”

Regulus and Sirius exchanged a look, their expressions relaxing. The mention of food brought a sense of normalcy back to the morning. “That sounds good,” Sirius agreed, his stomach rumbling in response.

As the family moved to the dining room, the morning light poured in through the windows, bathing the room in warmth. The lingering fears of the night seemed to fade in the glow of the day. The tapping noise, whatever it had been, was a problem for another time. For now, they could find comfort in the simple routines of home, the familiar comfort of each other’s presence, and the knowledge that they were not alone.

As they sat down to breakfast, the clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of conversation filled the air. Sirius and Regulus began to relax, the tension slowly ebbing away. They knew that the night would come again, and with it, the fears that darkness brought. But for now, in the light of the morning, they felt a sense of safety and peace.

And that was enough. As Sirius tried to steady his breathing, leaning into his mother’s comforting embrace, he found some solace in the warmth of her presence. Orion and Regulus stood by the window, keeping a vigilant eye on the outside. The familiar routine of breakfast and the presence of his family brought a semblance of normalcy, but it couldn’t completely chase away the lingering dread. Despite his efforts to focus on the comfort around him, the fear was relentless, clawing at him from inside, a constant reminder that safety was a fragile illusion.