'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 71: The Order

[Nobody - Mitski]

༺ 𓆙 ༻
Mon. 31st July 1995 - 12:12pm...

Creaking the door to the spare bedroom open, I ran my hand across the sign 'R.A.B' on the wood. It was wore down, and barely legible. Just as Sirius had told me, there were a few boxes piled on the empty bed.

Opening the first box, old family photographs and signed forms covered a toy bear. I take it out and place it to the side.

Click.

I slowly turn my head towards the noise — It sounded close, and had a similar resemblance to chalk scrapping against a black board. An ear sore.

Rummaging through the items, I take a cloth off a jewellery box. Picking it up, I shake it, the sound resonating from within.

What the hell could possibly be making such an unnerving sound, and be that small?

Popping it open, a dirty golden locket sat inside. It clicked again, a ghostly shape manifesting behind the foggy glass.

My fingers barely grazed the whispering necklace, before Kreacher dashed in and snatched it off me. "Blood traitors should not touch what is not theirs. This locket is not for use."

I cross my arms, "Sirius told you to be quiet today, are you seriously going to defy his orders?"

He cradled the box, closing it gently. He grumbled, but didn't answer me. He shook his head, his knuckles grew white.

"Why is that locket so important anyways?"

"I thought you did not want Kreacher to talk."

"Answer me. What does it do? Why is it whispering to me?"

He glanced down into the box, then climbed onto the bed, "The locket does not talk."

"Well, it did, to me."

"The freckled witch is mistaken, the locket does not talk." He repeats, adjusting his rags.

Rolling my eyes, I pick up the teddy bear, "Can I take this? Or are you going to snatch this from me, too?"

He frowned, "The locket, is Kreacher's to protect."

"Alright, fine. Whatever," I mumble, exiting the room.

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Pressing the button for the washing machine, I toss the bear inside, and fill it with washing liquid.

"Did you find anything to your liking?" Sirius asked, approaching me with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"I found this bear toy, I'm going to see if I can wash it a bit first."

"I got my brother that bear when we were only boys. I thought he gave it away."

"Were you close with your brother?"

"...not as much as I hoped." He said, sipping on his coffee. "Things change— People change, too. In fact, our family was the main reason we grew apart. My mother to be exact. She never appreciated the ideas we shared together."

I turn the machine on, and lean against the wall.

Sirius' face softens, "I'm glad you and Harry are so close, it makes it easier to know where you both are at all times."