A Final Song for Sirius

Chapter 2

The grand dining hall of Black’s Manor was alive with the clinking of silverware and the murmur of conversation as the Blacks hosted a prestigious dinner. The Malfoys and Potters had been invited, and the room was abuzz with the sort of genteel chatter that accompanied such gatherings.

At the head of the table, Orion and Walburga Black were engaged in a quiet conversation of their own. Each had a discreet earbud in, and they were both engrossed in the sounds coming through their phones. The elegant strains of classical music were absent; instead, their focus was entirely on a recording of their sons, Sirius and Regulus, performing.

Charlus Potter, noticing the couple’s intense concentration, leaned over to Abraxas Malfoy, a curious glint in his eye. “What’s got your attention so fixed? You seem to be quite engrossed in those earbuds.”

Orion, not taking his eyes off the phone, smiled proudly. “Our sons are amazing. Their voices together are simply extraordinary.”

Walburga nodded in agreement, her usual stern demeanor softened by the evident pride. “It’s truly impressive,” she added, still not removing the earbud.

Across the table, Sirius and Regulus were engaged in a discussion with their guests, their cheeks flushing slightly. They had overheard their parents talking and were feeling a mix of embarrassment and modesty.

“We’re not that great,” Regulus said with a shy smile, trying to downplay their performance.

Walburga, eyes narrowing slightly as if she had just heard the most puzzling statement, looked at her sons as though they had grown a second head. “Not that great?” she echoed. “Let everyone be the judge of that.”

With a decisive movement, Walburga disconnected the earbuds and played the recording out loud. The room fell silent as the clear, harmonious voices of Sirius and Regulus filled the space. Their impromptu performance of “Terrorist” resonated through the hall, the unexpected duet captivating the assembled guests.

Charlus and Abraxas exchanged impressed looks, clearly moved by the quality of the performance. “Well, I must say,” Charlus began, breaking the silence with a grin, “they certainly have a talent for this.”

Abraxas nodded in agreement. “It’s not often you hear something so unique at a dinner party.”

Sirius and Regulus, now blushing deeply, looked around at the reactions of their guests. The flush of embarrassment slowly gave way to a sense of pride, their initial discomfort melting as they saw their parents and their guests genuinely enjoying the performance.

Walburga, noting the change in her sons’ expressions, allowed herself a rare smile of satisfaction. “See, you two,” she said gently, “you really are quite exceptional.”

The guests clapped and cheered as the recording ended, and the atmosphere lightened with shared amusement and admiration. The unexpected performance had added a delightful spark to the evening, and as the dinner continued, the sound of Sirius and Regulus’s voices lingered in everyone’s minds, a memorable highlight of the night.