✧REGRETS AND WORRIES✧

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Sirius was right when it came to brunch, the entire extended family came to greet Cassiopeia as it seemed to be the life of the party to hear that she was accepted into Salem. However, her cousins all were still in Hogwarts given that it was only November, coming Christmas it will be a different story.

But just as she had come, she was set to leave...And seemed like that's how Sirius and Regulus were seeing her for, just a week at a time divided by the many coming a months. Only to be held with a letter and a gaining interest to return home for the summer.

The arguments were all that strong, but Sirius found himself in need to keep occupied. So he told his mother he wanted to surprise Rory by learning the German language. Neither parent saw any faults, and thus, both Regulus and Sirius were proud to have learned quite a bit of conversational German coming in the few months.

And perhaps when Cassiopeia was set to return in June, they would both be fluent.

Their father had left just moments ago to return with their sister, having Sirius and Regulus wait at the steps. Both keeping their eyes on the door in preparation. "Rory said she bought gifts," Regulus stated, and Sirius chuckled. The eldest didn't want anything more than his sister to come in through the door.

So when her bright smile come into the glum being that is Grimmauld Place, both her brothers stood at attention and tilted their heads down.

Aurora came in front of them, did a very polite curtsy, only to follow with Sirius saying in a very adorable accent: "Komm, der tee ist fertig." [Come, your tea is finished]

The girl's eyes lit up in the instant as she turned around to look about.

"W-Wirklich? Hast due Deutsch gelernt?" [R-really? Have you learned German?] 

She breathed, and Regulus too held a proud smile and stated: "Sieh nicht so überrascht aus." [Don't act so suprised}

She held her giggling behind her hands and was forced into a hug while their parents went about for prepping a late lunch.

"We're still learning Rory," Regulus whispered into her stomach, making her look at Sirius. "Hm? And where did this come about, I remember begging for you to learn." Sirius shrugged, kissing her cheek and bringing her into his own hold now.

"Bored. What can I say?" She kissed his cheek in response before they all were called into the other room. And for what seemed like a lifetime for Sirius,  it finally time for Cassiopeia to stay home for the summer...Only, it was about to get a whole lot worse for wear.

Something clicked into their father, whether it be the pressures of upholding traditions, or the Dark Lord's orders...Or even the views on how he treats his daughters. Others were looking as to why she had been gifted with such an intelligent mind but the other two lacked it.

Had there been a school for wizards he wasn't entirely sure if Sirius would be granted permission to even make general entry. But all this made the fire whiskey permitted into stay into his veins for more than a few days of the week.

Usually, he'd stay in his study and drink by himself, or find himself given a nightcap from one of his mates at another manner. However, this night in particular had Walburg off with her nieces to prepare Aurora's birthday in the following month.

Rory on the other hand was mindlessly reading out in the library, smiling about being able to read about a bit more upgraded topics now that she wouldn't have to consult a dictionary every time a word was too long or too strange for a definition in her mind. However, it had been a long day. Sirius and Rabastan had dared her to go on their brooms and it had ended with the promise of gifting her one for her birthday for them all to race on.

Even if the three wouldn't be able to take it to Hogwarts, they would be able to practice anyhow.

With that in mind, Cassi fell soundly asleep in the library. Which just so happened to be the room Orion needed a book from as well, to find that his daughter was sleeping brought a smile to his face...Until he saw the damage that had been done to a priceless family heirloom one of their accessories had written.

He snatched the book from her hold making her gasp as she was suddenly awake. "Cassiopeia I have told you countless time!" Orion yelled, his thunderous voice having both the brothers shoot up in attention as to what happened.

"What was Rory doing?" 

"She-she...reading? She was just reading." Regulus offered, and it had them both rushing to see what had happened. But it was too late, Rory was stricken and on the floor. Her hand onto her cheek and her tears staining so very loudly to her cheeks.

"I'm s-sorry f-father I—" He continued to yell, saying hurtful and vile things to his own daughter. 

"Had you been a boy..." Was one of the worst, as it pledged Rory's mind from then on, the poor girl was careful from then on. Not daring to touch the library, not daring to touch a thing.

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Orion had no recollection of harming his daughter, but the weary glances his children had given him were all to questionable.

No longer had Aurora greeted him with a smile when he'd returned home, and he thought this a phase. Considering he had been warned countless time over from his in-laws, who raised three girls that it was bound to happen eventually.

However, when Aurora had gone off to bed that night. She laid awake, clutching to her swallow cheek to where her father had stricken. Only for Sirius to knock on the door with Regulus close behind.

"Rory? Are you awake?" The youngest asked, and that only lead to her trying to drown out her sobs into her pillow. They were still vocal, and audible to the brothers. However, she had locked the door.

Sirius had an idea, he slowly emerged his wand from his side as his father wanted him to get used to the idea of having it on him. But it took him a second to figure out the spell to unlock it, so it was on her end, where she shot the spell from her position in bed, allowing the door to creak open.

Regulus ran in first, jumping into the bed and clinging to his sister, while Sirius found himself delayed. Closing the door oh so quietly and sitting on the side, holding onto Rory's hand as she squeezed it ever so tightly. "You lied...Didn't you—Saying everything was okay?" She questioned, and the lump in his throat dwelled as he only could give her a nod response. They stayed like this for a while, Sirius on the defensive, wanting nothing more than to shout at his father for screaming at Rory.

The girl did nothing wrong, she had fallen asleep with the book in her lap, and to be quiet fair. He should be grateful for the fact she even bothers with those books at hand, they're dark, darker than just the term mudblood.

It defiled even halfboods, it was all propaganda. And soon they were going to learn that there were too many different sides. Not just one or two to be involved in.

Cassiopeia felt nauseous that night and the following days after. And their father didn't seem to get the entire picture, so as Orion had requested that she played a song on the piano for him to listen to...It became all too obvious to Sirius that their father had forgotten what took place.

Instead, it was a week when Aurora looked to her mother in front of her vanity mirror and asked: "Does Father wish I was a boy?"

That, in the instant, had her mother stop her hair braiding to look to her daughter. The mother swallowed, of course she wished the same...for their daughter to be the opposite gender. But it became a blessing elsewhere, as she had caught the eye of the Lestrange family. So it worked out oh so well.

"Why do you say that darling?" Her mother responded, and the girl stiffed. Her back straightened and her eyes began to dark, obviously second guessing her initial question. "Father told me." Now it was Walburg's fury that rendered Aurora to look fearful.

"ORION!" The mother yelled out, storming into her husband's study to see him smoking a cigar and clutching a glass of fire whiskey in hand. 

"Has he said something witty?" He dwelled, eyes narrowing at the thought of what Sirius could've done wrong this time.

"No, he inherited that trait his from his father though...Why is it that your daughter asked if you wished her to be a boy." His sip was interrupted by his reaction of a cough, wiping with his personal cloth at the edges of his mouth did he look to his wife.

"I can assure you that I did not say such a thing, to Cassiopeia or to anyone—" 

"Cassiopeia does not lie Orion." They were reminded of that fact quite easily, and the man stared widen eye to the cause. With that in mind did the mother get Regulus to relay the story, having their father entirely in bouts of fringement.

Walburg realized what had occurred, and although she saw no faults into either equation. She had deemed her husband a hypocrite as to not wanting herself to teach Aurora anything too forcefully. Not that she ever deserved punishment recently, but this was unacceptable.

"Rory was reading a book and father was angry that it was on her lap when she fell asleep on the couch." Regulus digressed, only to be excused out of the room and to Sirius, only to find him fixing his sisters hair from where their mother had finished.

It allowed her to smile, seeing Sirius finish the braid up to their mother's standards and she smiled at the attempt. However, it left Regulus to ruin the news as he relayed what happened just mere moments ago.

Father knew. Mother knew.

Aurora closed her eyes, just wishing they could speed up the summer. But alas, it was only July, not even passed her birthday.

Orion found himself in a predicament, he loved his daughter. But that love stopped as society deemed it too actable, and nobody would want to marry a daddy's girl as it would be sort of horrific to any man she marries as they'd be their father's prize.

If he'd hear her husband was showing signs of abuse or aggression he would be unmistakingly Crucio those what hurt his little girl. But who would do it to him?

"Cassiopeia. A word." He spoke, and the youngest was the first out the door as there wasn't much one could do against their father. However, it was Sirius that stood back for a moment, eyeing his father in disgust.

Perhaps that was his own personal version of Crucio, the childlike one of disappointment. But the silence of Cassiopeia allowed Sirius to squeeze her hand once more before continuing off, past his father and to his own room. Glancing to the door one last time, but their father kept it wide and open not making this conversation a secret.

"Cassi, I am...I want to apologize." This sounded so fake, without any emotion that Aurora wanted to scream, although she was liked in her dorm room off in the states. There were a few fights about stolen books, stolen quills. Usually involved a quick 'sorry' before they were all alright.

But this wasn't a stolen object. This was worse.

Somewhere deep down Rory knew that it wasn't right, that it was normal. But not right. So seeing her father down back onto his knees to hold onto her hands, that flinched at mere contact, that flinched again as he held onto the same cheek he took a strike at.

"I let my anger get the best of me darling, how can I make it up to you?" He questioned, and Cassiopeia's brows narrowed, there was nothing she wanted. Nothing at all. So she unhinged the hands from his and he grew even more guilt-ridden.

"I don't want anything father." The tone she had given him was passable, she was angry but she took a inhale. 

"Will you promise?" His eyes sparked, so he fitfully agreed. Only that agreement wouldn't pass that far, as it was more than likely to happen again.

Even with the agreement did she still stay wary of her father, even at her birthday, even when he congratulated her for her Hogwarts letter. Nothing felt genuine from his daughter any longer, which he confided to his wife.

"She must learn that this is the way of life, that when she has a daughter she will more than likely have wished they were a son as well. Hopefully she won't make the mistake and make her wish vocal in a drunken rage." Walburg digressed, she too knew what occurred with Sirius, and perhaps that is what brought Cassi to be so weary.

"I would never put her under a curse." He growled, knowing exactly what his wife had been getting at. "Then let her act obedient, she is a growing woman. No longer a child." He blinked within the darkness of their room, he hadn't meant to hurt Sirius ether. But he had been so—agitated for whatever reason.

Probably a smaller reason than Cassiopeia falling asleep while reading though.

***

However, in the recent change of events...It was the morning of September first, meaning that Rory was promptly ready, travel cloak and all the important bits and bots within her trunk that was placed in the hallway on accord. She treated herself to a final bath as it would be last private and relaxed one out of the ones she'll get this coming few weeks. Instead, she was reading out in the den, but that is when Sirius leaned against the wall, and smirked with a devious tint to it.

"Got enough books in your trunk Rory?" The boy taunted, but it earned a smile to his sisters face as her eyes met up. However, they were directed to his mother as she gave him a good smack upside the head.

"I said behave! Your sister isn't to be influenced with such witty remarks!" Their mother growled, walking off once more to secure the house before they were set to depart. But the smirk never left either of their faces.

"Only if mother knew you were as witty as I." He dwelled, but she puckered her face and placed a hand to her heart. 

"Me? Witty? I'd never-" He chuckled interrupted her banter and it set them into bit of laughter. But now she rose up just the bit and placed her book beside the other, hearing from Cissy that it's a long train ride to the school itself.

"How is it that you never get—" "Don't bloody start with that, you know she warned you." His smirk rises even more, the reaction he truly wanted from her. "Alrighty then, wand?" He questioned, and she held it up proudly with a smile.

"Book...My mistake. Books?" She narrows her eyes but still gives him a sanctioned nod. "Slytherin cap?" It was then the question made her roll her eyes, it was a nuisance to already have both a Slytherin scarf as well as free attire through her trunk, but it just made her stomach all the more lopsided. As though even she knew what was bound to happen.

But the words spoken last night in a final sort of occasion did Sirius dwell that he didn't want Slytherin, that he would perfectly happy elsewhere. But the second he mentioned Gryffindor, she felt sick. The same sort of sickness that followed through at the current moment as she was reminded.

"Maybe if you wish hard enough you'll get what you want Siri, come on...I need a strong gentleman to drag my luggage." Their conversation had been interrupted by their mother who yelled at the front of the house.

He groaned but never the less did what she asked, following close behind with both. Only for their father to take Cassiopeia's, oh she surely had their father wrapped around her precious little finger now.

Rory looked towards her brother now, he was feeling same nerves and anxiety as she. Almost intertwined with one's own emotions did she take a deep inhale. "As above, so below..." She whispered, and he took her hand and squeezed. "As within, so without." He mumbled back under his breath as they hurried along to follow after their parents and brother.

It was all too quick of a journey to platform 9 3/4, but that didn't separate the hold ether sibling had on one another. Sirius had managed without her, but Regulus was off to manage the entire Black manner without ether sibling.

He had Sirius with him his entire life, even his sister. Not counting the two years where it was spaced out, but it was never just him...

"I expect a letter tomorrow sharp. Sirius, I want you to watch your sister, no funny business, any disrespect and I will have you come straight home. Is that understood?" Mrs.Black deemed, Cassi nodded her head and looked directly to her mother. But it was Sirius' "Yes Mother," That truly solicited the property of good behavior.

Their mother took little Cassi's face into her hand and squeezed her cheeks. The girl tried not to grimace at the fact but was over within the moment, all before their father took both children into his arms and agreed with his wife. Just in a different standing as to what is expected of them.

Children of the Noble House of Black. Sacred Twenty-Eight.

Merlin was Sirius sick of hearing of it, but he felt even worse for his sister. As she learned their history in Salem, that and all the rest of the worlds. And it clung, as did the certain religion, so taken the Triquetra on her finger.

"You stay bright my little light. I want a letter. Details on who your roommates are. All of it. I will not have you in a room with anyone who isn't worthy." She held in her breath and delivered the last remaining smile she could muster as she kissed her father's cheeks and took hold of Sirius' hand once more.

He was in pursuit of the train, leading himself and his sister away from the toxins that were their family. He allowed a quick wave back, but it was more intended for Regulus than either of his parents, but Aurora gave an honest gesture before following up the quick steps and into the train itself. 

It was already bustling with students, young and old.

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"I suppose they don't know about Emily the—" Aurora gawked at her brother, she had confided in his about the half-blood she befriended, but now it was coming to kick her straight in the arse.

"I swear to bloody Circi if you mention that to either of them I'll tell them what you made me get you." And in that instant his eyes widened and he continued down through the train to find an empty compartment, he sat down beside his sister who he knew would adore the window seat. As it gave off more proper light for her to read, and sure enough...She already had her book in hand, a nose to it.

The train soon began to whistle, and the amounts of shouting and fair wells was enough to make Rory even sicker to her stomach, so she focused solely on each word before her. But stringing them along did nothing more than agitate her.

"What is it? Nervous still?" He questioned and she nodded, peering out to the countryside before looking back. "I already miss Reg, you think he'll be alright?" Sirius held his own questions and concerns back as he found it in himself to give a very convincing nod, at least it did seem like one for his sister.

After another few moments passed, their compartment opened and in popped the head of two young lads. One of which sported round glasses while the other was a bit lumpy, sporting regular babyfat.

"Alright if we join you two? Everywhere else if full." James speaks, his eyes darting between the girl and boy, and Sirius was awfully weary of whom it might be. So Cassi took the lead and offered her winning smile.

"Of course." She cheered, motioning to the seats before them and they were easily taken by both Peter and James. Although Mr.Potter was feeling the scrutinizing glare Sirius was portraying, it was only when the two introduced themselves that Mr.Black jumped in.

"Sirius." He states, clean and simple, and Aurora's eyes him delicently from behind her book only to grin to the boys. "Aurora." She stated, using her middle name among peers and students...That's what she had done in Salem and she decided from then on that she'd go with the more normal name rather than the pureblood name of Cassiopeia. 

These would be the first boy classmates she will ever have. It felt odd, very odd. But it'd be good to see all her other friends within the same boundaries, and on that note, she began to stare out the window while the mindless chatter of the boys filled the room. Of course after Sirius managed to give her the amused smirk of him knowing how much she hated her first name. Another reason why Regulus and him managed with calling her 'Rory'.

Only to be interrupted by a giggle from herself as they were discussing Gryffindor. "What's so funny?" James questioned, tilting his head only to make his glasses fall further down his nose. 

"Nothing at all, Siri said all that last night." She spoke, and it became abundantly obvious that they were indeed related.

"A-are you two twins?" James speaks, and Aurora shakes her head in that instant. "Iris twins, he's a few months older than me." Making Sirius laugh, it was almost a year, but had she been any later then he wouldn't have her sitting beside him at the current moment.

"A few months? Who was walking first?" He taunted, only for Aurora to tilt her own head and roll her eyes. "Yes, but who was reading first?" Her counter made Sirius wink in approval.

"Guess the one with the book at the moment, am I right gents?" He rallied, making the two boys share in the laughter. Only for Aurora to kick her brother in hopes of giving him some sort of pain. To be greeted with a quick white flag of surrender.

Oh it was clear to the two newcomers that either sibling loved the other dearly, said so by the smiles and laughter coming from both sides.

"What house are you hoping for?" Peter asked Aurora, seeing as how they were just discussing houses he thought to join her further into the conversation. But seeing how her face paled and the nervous biting of her lip, that perhaps she didn't want to be initiated into the conversation at all?

"My hopes really don't matter all that much." She spoke, just as she was raised in thinking, making Sirius scoff at the indictment. "Oh Rory stop with that rubbish, we'll get into Gryffindor. Shove it to mum and dad." He spoke, even adding his hand up for emphasis.

But James caught the horrific look Aurora was giving her brother, but she just settled back into a smaller setting and holding up her book. Ending her joining into the conversation as she finalized with: "If there's a will there's a way." Was all she quoted, and soon after the boys began to have an uproar of laughter. But Aurora didn't join in after that.

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Date Posted: 01-10-19

Time: 1:23

Words: 4132

To Hogwarts they go!!