Daughter of Black

5.05

We all waited patiently to hear what happened at Harry's trial. I had helped Harry dress, giving him one of my father's dressier jackets for the court. I think I only did that so I could have some control over the situation. Everyone else was somewhere, worried in a more calm manner. But I couldn't help but pace. I always paced when I was nervous, but I seemed to be doing it more and more lately. I had told him to tell the truth. I was just hoping that it would actually work. I found myself walking throughout the house, not sure what to do with myself. I couldn't keep doing this for the next couple of hours. That would be nonsense.

I made my way up to the top floor, staring at the spiral staircase in front of me that led to the attic. Dad said that there was nothing in there, but I couldn't help but disagree.

So, I walked up the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. Once I was in the attic, I flipped the light switch on. There was truly nothing here. Expect for a couple boxes and luggage bags. I wasn't going to do anything but I looked at one of the wooden boxes, seeing an engraving of the initials A.F.B. I knew those initials like they were written on the back of my hand, or if they had been sketched into my head. Arabella Francine Beaufort. I suppose it could have also been Black. I wasn't sure when she had used the trunk. I walked towards the trunk, propping it open. The first thing I saw was a photograph of my mum and dad. They were smiling at each other, both of them in their Hogwarts uniforms. I smiled down at the photo. It was taken before mum was pregnant so I assumed it was their 6th year. I put the photo on the ground, looking back in the trunk. I saw multiple diaries but I didn't read through them at that moment. I saw photographs of my mum's family, of my grandfather and my grandmother. I found a small dress, fit for a baby. "That was the first dress you wore." I turned around, seeing my dad standing in the doorway, looking back at me. I smiled at him, patting the spot next to me. He sat down next to me, looking around the room.

"Is everything in here mum's?" I asked, looking around at all the boxes. He nodded, looking back at me.

"Have I ever told you the story of how I met your mum?" He asked me, making me smile as I turned back to him, shaking my head.

Flashback

They were in their fifth year as the red haired Lily Evans, dragged her best friend Arabella Beaufort into the library. Arabella and Lily were close, like sisters. They were the only two people from opposing houses seen together. Arabella was in Slytherin and Lily was in Gryffindor. But despite that, they were the closest of friends. They walked into the library, trying to be quiet as they sat down at one of the tables.

Arabella grabbed whatever books they needed, sitting back down at the table. Madam Pince smiled at the two girls, who came into the library often. Just as they sat down again, a group of boys walked over to them, one of them staring at Arabella. But she didn't notice. She was too busy staring down at the book. "Studying already Evans?" A voice spoke up, pulling Bella out of her book. She looked up at the group of boys. She had seen them around school but had never matched a name to a face.

"Unlike you, I plan on having good grades Potter." Lily retorted. Their banter was nothing but friendly. Lily looked back to her friend, who looked shy, for the first time in her life. Lily smiled when she saw Sirius and Arabella exchanging glances, while the other looked away. "Arabella, this is James Potter, Remus, Sirius and Peter." She commented as she introduced the boys to her best friend. Arabella smiled at each of them, but she kept eye contact with the boy now known as Sirius.

"Nice to meet you. You can call me Bella." She said, still smiling at Sirius, who couldn't take his eyes off her.

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