As some of you already know, a lot happened in my life.

I lost a dear friend of mine and my mother had to do a surgery that landed her in the ICU for a couple of days, all in two weeks, so I'm sorry for disappearing. However, I did land a role in a short-film that I'll be filming this weekend, hence why I'm posting this with the warning that I might not see the comments so soon.

BUT DO LEAVE COMMENTS. PLEASE, COMMENT!

ADRESS TO WIZENGAMOT REQUESTING A DECLARATION OF WAR WITH THE TERRORISTS, AUGUST 10TH, 1978 – BY MINISTER HAROLD MINCHUM

Today, August 10th of 1978, shall be a date that will live in infamy through the end of history of Wizarding Britain.

For months our population has been under attack by terrorists belonging to this very Nation. I did my part in trying to stop their advances; I placed more Dementors in Azkaban as a reminder of what would wait for them once they were caught – and they shall be caught! – and trained more Aurors with the intention of teaching the next generation the correct approach to divergent ideas and values are. I heard both sides of this conflict to ensure that I was being fair in my ministrations in office, and I do not believe I have failed our population before today. However, it pains me to admit that I can no longer hold off the realisation that I so long denied.

We, the rightful people, can not win this battle in the peaceful manner I strived for. We are to fight back.

I address this speech to the Wizengamot of the United Kingdom and Ireland requesting the declaration of official war against the terrorists the struck fear in the hearts and minds of the good people of our Nations. We cannot allow this senseless violence to go unpunished and impassive, as we – the correct wizards and witches – remain lukewarm in the face of growing dangers and hatred, callous to what might truly happen if they gain more power than they already did.

I intend to fight back with all the Ministry can spare. I intend to restlessly find and punish these traitors of magic for what they are doing to our world.

Orion Black had memorised the speech the Minister of Magic had given that morning in the newest gathering. He had memorised the way some of the eldest families exchanged discreet looks of amusement, as if they were all old friends with fun secrets to keep from the rest of the world. He had memorised the way Lord Potter stared right back at him from across the room, dark eyes meaningful and somber, or the way that he looked back, trying not to appear as exhausted as he felt.

He barely had time to recover from the stress piling up in his stomach and chest when he got home, only to find his wife staring sharply at a letter in her hands, already in her best and most appealing day-dress with Regulus lounging on the sofa beside her, looking just as cold as he stared without turning a single page of his poetry book.

Now, he sat motionless in the seat of Walburga's favourite restaurant, trying his best not look too expectant towards the door. Still, he waited for Patricia and her son – his son -, Florian, to walk through the door.

"What does she look like?" Walburga asked, voice small as she sipped her wine.

Orion looked longingly towards the glass, knowing that she had asked for wine as a way to provoke him, and he, far too easy to tempt, had fallen right into her trap. He sipped his water in silence.

"She look young –" started Regulus.

"I didn't ask you, Regulus. Do hold your tongue," Walburga quickly answered.

Orion wondered if hiding beneath the table would be too embarrassing for a man – a Duke – his age, but the idea of being away from his wife's hard eyes seemed far too tempting for him to think too logically on it.

"I'm not sure, Madame," he said, trying not to sound too bitter. The sounds came through his teeth, though. "It's been over twenty years since I last saw her."

Regulus visibly held back a wince. It was common knowledge that Orion would only call Walburga by 'madame' when he couldn't bear to find it in his heart any other sort of dear pet-name, not even bear the taste of her given name.

"What did she look like back then, husband?" Walburga asked.

"Dark hair, dark eyes, pale complexion," he answered, sipping his water again.

"That's all?" she asked.

"Her hair was just past her shoulders, she was skinny and not very tall," he added, turning to look at his wife's reaction. "What else do you want to know? Anything that I should send Regulus away for, or you can control your curiosity over my past intimacies until we get home – after you see Madame Waters?"

Walburga's eyes narrowed as she leaned away from me, disgusted by the very name of the woman.

"Do you speak to me like that. Have some respect!" she urged, lowering her voice.

"You are my wife. You are to respect me just as much as I respect you. I have never and will never dare to talk to you in the manner you are trying now, Madame, so do have some decency and some respect for my own reputation as you open your mouth to spill implicated accusations against my honour!" he spat towards her. Walburga lowered her eyes as her shoulders sagged a bit. "I have not strayed from our marriage, as you are well-aware. Do not dare to think otherwise. I am a gentleman and shall continue being no matter your anger towards me."

Regulus frowned. "Father, please –"

"No. I am not willing to seat here and bear words as sharp as knives thrown against my decency!" Orion said, turning towards his son. He took a breath before turning to look at his wife again. "This meeting was not agreed upon by me, so both should stop looking at me as if I'm to blame. You were the one to keep correspondence with Madame Waters, as per your request, Madame. I have not spoken with her and would continue in such a situation if not by this meeting you set on."

Unfortunately, before Walburga could put her own anger out, the ringing of the entrance bell rang. The two people entering looked straight at the Black Family table, taking all the oxygen away with a single glare.

Patricia Waters looked just as beautiful as she had been all those years before. Her hair was just as brown, her eyes just as big and expressive, her skin just as glowing and her lips just as plump. It didn't matter that now small marks of expression and signals of years past appeared around her brown eyes or that she had a smile line now, it didn't matter that she seemed taller and fuller. She looked just as beautiful as Orion had imagined she would have been had they been together.

And behind her, a man followed.

It took him just a moment to realise that the 'man', was what Orion should've called a boy... his boy. His son. Undoubtedly, the man following Patricia was Florian. His hair had the same curls as Orion's other children, his eyes were just as grey as his own, but the bone structure and the lips were certainly his mother's. The boy was handsome in the same confusing way as Sirius was, a touch too feminine to not get the attention of all and a touch too masculine to be considered beautiful (as Regulus often was).

Orion stood before he could command his legs to do otherwise. Fortunately, Regulus followed his lead, making his reaction considerably less pathetic and a lot more cordial and polite. Walburga remained sitting.

Patricia approached while smoothing her dress. It was an old thing, clearly, and most likely one of her only good dresses. Not that they lacked money, clearly the dress was from a brand-name, but because she didn't have many occasions to wear things like those. Her son wore denim trousers and a shirt.

Walburga scoffed, looking away.

"Madame. Mister," Orion greeted.

What an odd sight, to call one's own son 'mister'.

Patricia's mouth opened, but no sound came out as her eyes met Orion's.

Florian stepped forward, grabbing Orion's hand across the table and shaking it firmly.

"How are y'all doing?" he asked, casually.

Regulus bit the inside of his cheek, looking at his mother in expectation, but the woman merely glanced at the boy before looking back at the beautiful woman standing across from her.

"Mother, Father, allow me introduce Doctor Waters and her son, Mister Florian Waters," Regulus said, quick to take over the conversation and trying to make it sound as common as possible.

Silence fell upon the table once more.

"Mister Lupin will get here any moment," Patricia quickly said. "I realised it was probably for the better to have a lawyer here."

"I'm a lawyer," Orion said.

"My own lawyer," Patrcia corrected, almost speaking over Orion.

Walburga's lips twitched. "Indeed, one must always keep in contact with law knowledgeable people for uncomfortable situations such as these."

Florian smirked.

"Yeah, but you instead of 'uncomfortable situation', you may call me 'Florian', ma'am," he said, trying to sound charming. He sat without proper invitation to the table.

Walburga's eyes turned to him sharply as she took him in a bit better in detail. She seemed amused for the split of a second before her shock of his audacity took over, so she gave him a solemn nod.

"I suppose 'Mister Waters' shall do for now."

Florian's smirk grew, taking her cold response as a good thing for his attempt of a joke.

Regulus cleared his throat and made a movement with his hand. "Please, Doctor, do sit down," he said.

Patricia reached for her chair, but Regulus was quick to drawn it for her. She gave him a thankful smile before sitting and letting him fix the chair for her. She watched, half-impressed and half-amused, as Regulus returned to his own chair like the gentleman he was raised to be.

"Shall we order?" Regulus wondered out loud.

"Wait for Mister Lupin," Orion said.

"Yes, Father."

Florian raised a single eyebrow at the exchange, lips pressed together in barely hidden distaste at the swift submission.

Walburga leaned forward very slightly, catching Patricia's attention.

The older woman licked her lips, glancing at Orion as is gauging his reaction to her movements before turning completely to Walburga.

"You are Lady Black, I assume by Regulus' introduction –"

"You speak my son's name with great intimacy, Madame," Walburga said, cutting her off.

"Oh, yes. Hm... 'Mister' Black, then," Patricia said, clearing her throat after her mistake. Regulus gave her an apologetic look, but did not defend her. "Forgive me."

"Nothing to be forgiven, Doctor," Regulus quickly said, trying to appease the situation.

"Well, what I meant to ask was your name, my Lady," Patricia said, voice once more becoming sweet and careful. It was almost as if she was trying to show that she was no danger. "I'm familiar with some of the pureblood families naming traditions and I got curious. I'm not good with stars, but I do know some of them."

Orion looked down, uncomfortable.

"My name is Walburga, after St Walpurga," she answered. "I'm a secondary branch woman, so the naming tradition is not exactly followed every time with us. Since my mother passed away by drowning, my eldest brother thought it to be of... good standing naming me after the saint of those fearful of water."

"Her father was an under-king, and her mother was the sister of another saint," Florian quickly said. "I think it's powerful. And pretty." At Walburga's surprise, he shrugged. "I was raised Catholic. But I was under the impression families like yours don't really follow a religion."

"Saint Walpurga was a witch, Florian," Patricia whispered. "She was known for fighting in a rebellion back in her time. One of the only female warriors in that specific battle."

"Oh," Florian said. "Grandma ain't gonna like that."

"That's why we don't tell grandmother about witchcraft more than she needs to know and leave her and her saints alone," Patricia whispered more harshly, already exhausted of Florian's quick mouth. She turned to Walburga. "Your name is indeed beautiful, my Lady."

"It was just another trick of my brother's," Walburga dismissed.

Patricia gulped.

"Speaking of your brother, I believe that is a subject we need to breach," Patricia started. "Must I wait for Mister Lupin for that as well, or should I start?"

Walburga looked at Orion through the corner of her eyes as if asking the same question to him. Orion looked between the two women before shrugging his shoulder – a lack of grace of his part, but he did not care.

"Well, do go on," Walburga said.

Patricia leaned forward, lowering her voice.

"I'd like to ask if you were aware that I attempted contact many years ago. I was received with your brother's presence, My Lady, and ushered away from the house as quickly as possible," Patricia said.

"Which one of my brothers?" Walburga asked.

"Cygnus," Patricia answered. She did not say that it had been Luna to tell her the name of the man.

Orion's eyes looked away from the tablecloth and flew to Patricia's face, widening in obvious shock.

"You attempted contact and was intercepted by Cygnus?" he asked. "When?"

"Florian was young, around three or so, I believe," Patricia said, finally speaking straight at him for the first time since she had arrived. "You were not... made aware?"

Orion did not look away from her.

"I was not. I would've taken responsibility had been made aware I sired a son," he said.

Florian squirmed in his seat. He crossed his arms and leaned back onto the chair, ungraceful and casual. He pursued his lips towards Orion was if keeping words inside his mouth instead of saying them out loud.

The duke turned his eyes to his eldest son. "Speak what you will, Mister Waters," he said.

Florian scoffed, looking to the side as his lip curled in disgust. He took a deep breath before turning to Orion again.

"You wouldn't have gotten in contact with my mother if you didn't know you had a son? Am I the only value of this damn situation?"

"Florian, language –"

"Nah, Mama. This is bullshit!" Florian said, uncrossing his arms and turning to his mother, leaning forward slightly hunched. "This ain't right. Just because I'm a man, he cares."

Patricia opened her mouth again, but someone interrupted her.

Walburga gave the tiniest scoff, getting the attention back to her.

"Had you been born in the female sex, things would've been a lot easier, Mister Waters," Walburga said, raising her eyebrows at him. "You would've gotten a better life, some recognition of the House and, perhaps, a good marriage out of the 'situation'. Given the fact we weren't aware of your existence, we had no chance of doing anything fitting for a bas--... illegitimate son."

Patricia narrowed her eyes at the almost slip, but again couldn't speak, because Florian took over the conversation.

"My fucking ass. Ya'll tried to kill my mother and I," he spat the words towards the woman.

Regulus' whole back straightened at the violence the man spoke towards his mother, hand flying towards his wand and curling around its holster to the side of his thigh, but held back when Orion's face grew pale and a choked breath made a loud noise at the table.

Walburga merely watched him for a second before pressing her lips together.

"It's hard to attempt to kill someone when one is not aware of their existence, Mister Waters," she said calmly. She reached for her handkerchief in the pockets of her dress and gently patted the side of her face. "...it is quite warm in here, I fear. I should retire to the lady's room to refresh myself."

Orion stood from his seat and offered his hand to his wife, but she did not take it. She rose by herself and made sure to not accept his help to get out of her seat with her dress, making her way towards the restrooms in the back of the restaurant in silence. Regulus stood as well once she stood up completely out of respect and waited for her to walk away before sitting down, watching as his father stood for a few seconds longer before sitting back down.

Had Regulus not know his mother well, he wouldn't have seen her gloved hands were tight around the handkerchief.

Heavy silence reigned on the table for a moment.

"Were you really not aware?" Florian whispered.

"No," Orion said. He looked at Patricia again. "What happened? Why... did you get in contact just years after he was born?"

Patricia glanced at Regulus, as if wondering if he should be listening to the conversation at all.

"He's my Heir. He must know what's happening to the House. Whatever happens at this table, he should be privy to it," Orion said, not looking away from her, already aware of her thoughts.

Patricia nodded.

"I... I really did think I could do this on my own at first, without needing anybody's help. I tried living on my own for a while, but Florian was a difficult baby, and his accidental magic started when he was just one. He was powerful. I didn't know what to do with it. I went back to my parents' house," she said, frowning and looking down. "But they said I did not have accidental magical outbursts until I was six; old enough to be talked into and out of things. I heard someone say that some families had magical solutions to that, but I didn't know what to do. There was no parenting book about it in the libraries I went to, so I just thought that... you'd know what to do – magical family and all."

"You went to Grimmauld Place?" he asked, eyes widening in horror.

Patricia blushed.

"I didn't know where else to go. I had been there before, so I thought the wards would recognise me – and they did. I walked to the front door without a problem," she said.

Regulus exchanged a looked between Orion and Patricia. He could not imagine her in Grimmauld Place, especially back when his father and her had a relationship, which meant that Orion was not a duke yet and, therefore, his grandfather Arcturus was still living there.

Florian caught Regulus' eyes. They exchanged an awkward stare for a few seconds before looking away.

"And Cygnus saw you," Orion said, remembering what she had said.

"After I knocked at the door."

"You knocked?!"

"What was I supposed to do? Walk right in?" she said, raising her eyebrows at him and widening her eyes in annoyance at his stupidity. "Well, good that I didn't. Had I walked right into your house with your son in my arms and saw you and your wife, I'm certain she would've hexed me right then and there."

Orion scoffed.

"The most my wife would've done at the time was get the child from you to get him some chocolate cake as we went over the details. We were barely married at the time," he said, dismissing the whole conversation by looking away. "Though, perhaps she would've jinxed you on your way out; something harmless."

Patricia looked towards the restaurant restrooms. "Your marriage –"

"Is real now. Not back then," Orion said. "But I do love and respect my wife, Doctor Waters. I am loyal to her –"

"I'm not offering –"

"I'm not trying to –"

Both started speaking over one another.

Florian's top lip curled in obvious distaste for the situation. He caught Regulus' exasperated and exhausted expression from his place at the table and could not hold back his chuckle. Regulus looked towards him at the noise and ended up smirking as well when he noticed he had not controlled his facial expressions.

Both adults stopped talking at once, noticing the two boys.

Patricia looked down, cheeks blushing. Orion looked towards the restrooms, mentally begging his wife to come back soon.

"Fine," Patricia whispered. "You are married now, and you love your wife. Good to know."

"Yes," Orion said with a tiny nod. He did not look towards Patricia again yet.

"Regardless, Cygnus was the one to answer the door, not you or your wife," she said, trying to forget the whole conversation. "He tried to be kind at first, then he asked the baby's name. I said the truth, 'Florian'. He assumed, correctly, that it was a boy and seemed terrified, for the lack of a better word. He told me to get away from there. He didn't need to tell me twice, because I knew that look. I knew I had done something wrong, so I just... went back home."

Regulus sighed at the story, clearly knowing what came next. He knew his uncle far too well.

"A few days later, in the middle of the night, I woke up to Florian crying and screaming. I looked over and saw it. There was a man with a wand pointed at Florian – he had walked into my house, walked past my parent's bedroom and walked right into mine. Before I could as much as move, Florian's magic protected him. The man flew back, hit the wall quite badly. After that, it was a mess. My father sent me to Washington to live with my aunt for a while, and I stayed there."

"I never heard any of it," Orion vowed.

Patricia seemed to relax, shoulders sagging, but her eyes were reproachful still.

"And your wife?" she asked.

"Most certainly did not know of it," he said.

"Can you be sure of it?" she asked.

Orion looked at Patricia, narrowing his eyes at her and locking his jaw in place.

"Yes. I am certain of it."

The ringing of the bell of another costumer walking into the restaurant made Regulus look over the front door to see Lyall Lupin walking into the restaurant with his folder bag under his arm, wearing a muggle suit with a tie.

Regulus pushed down the anger he felt towards the man after everything he made Hope and Luna go through, reminding himself that both Luna and Hope were trying to accept that man back into their lives. So, all he did was get up and made a discreet wave towards the man to get his attention as he talked to the front-man. Lyall saw him and gestured to the server before walking towards the table.

Fortunately, Walburga was walking back into the main room at the same time, glancing with some barely hidden distaste towards the man and his muggle suit before walking to the table without greeting him.

Regulus sighed.

It was going to be a long lunch.

Meera usually barely looked twice to Regulus and Luna when he pushed the small bag of coins towards her at the front desk and received the usual key to the biggest, most expensive room at the inn. She just wrote it down under 'Regulus Black' and wrote down Luna's requests for food. She was growing used to their presence at the inn every other weekend, letting them spend many hours in the bedroom before each going home alone.

She did not tell Luna that sometimes she was the only one to go home. Regulus walked down with her before walking back into the bedroom and spending the night there. Since he always paid for the whole night, all too scared of being interrupted, and was always alone in the room, there was no reason to mention the occurrences to the girl, who seemed to be always more and more stressed out – which was an understandable situation, after all, there was a war ranging on officially outside.

But that day, something was different.

Luna arrived first, looking around like anxiously before going to Meera's desk and whispering about the usual room. Meera gave her the keys without waiting for payment, all too aware that Regulus would be arriving with the money.

It was how Luna looked that made Meera start to get anxious as well.

Usually, Luna wore nice muggle dresses or denim trousers and a shirt. That day, however, Luna was wearing baggy trousers and an oversized shirt that was obviously not hers by the way it slipped off her shoulder. It wasn't sexy or well-styled, especially with the way that her hair was pulled back into a frizzy ponytail. It wasn't the outfit of a girl going to meet her sweetheart. It was the outfit of a girl that ran from her house to meet someone in need.

Meera started on the tea before Luna even requested it, hiding in her kitchen while her wife was out.

"... Madame?" a weak voice called out.

She didn't even need to look to know who it was.

"Hello, Mister Black," she said, putting her head out of the kitchen to look at the boy. She froze for a second. "Miss Lupin has already arrived. She's waiting for you. I'll be bringing tea up shortly, if that's amenable."

Regulus looked paler than death. He had always been an alabaster coloured beauty, but he looked sickly as he stood under the one ray of sunshine coming into the room through the window because the skin under his eyes was pinkish, his eyelashes clumped together and wet, lips pale and dry. He was wearing a common, formal wizarding suit, but his cravat undone and carried in his hand. His hair was a mess, dark brown curls pointing to every direction.

"Is... she alright?" he asked.

"She seemed nervous and anxious, but she seemed alright," Meera said. He nodded, frowning as he looked down at his shoes. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

He looked up, some bitterness in the way his lips pulled into a false smile.

"Can you stop a war that is already taking lives?" he asked.

"I fear not," she said.

"Then the only person that can help is myself, ma'am," he said, shaking his head at her kindness. "Or not even that," he added in a whisper.

Meera walked towards the front desk of the inn, frowning at how resigned the boy had sounded.

"You shouldn't talk like that, Mister Black. We have a lot more power than we think once we set out mind to something, especially to protect ourselves... and those we care about," she said, glancing towards the stairs.

His eyes followed. He looked up, knowing that just a few floors upstairs, Luna waited for him with fingers twisting around one another in nervousness. He felt nauseated at the simple idea of seeing her.

"By protecting her and myself, I'm betraying everything she believes in," he whispered.

"It was what you believed in though, wasn't it?" Meer said pointedly, raising a single eyebrow towards him. He frowned even more, pressing his lips together as if the words in his own mind hurt him. "She knows you. She knows you changed. Don't martyr yourself before the fighting really starts."

"I don't think I can make it through," he admitted.

"For her? I believe you can do anything," Meera said with a shrug. "I can do anything for my woman, and even more than I what imagined for my daughter. If there's one thing you are yet to understand is how love is a lot stronger than hatred."

"It doesn't feel like it."

"Just because the love is not in the shape you know, it doesn't mean it isn't there."

Regulus leaned on the desk, finally meeting Meera's eyes.

"I know who you are," he admitted. "I know you were an activist. I know how hatred almost killed your child and how you gave up on your dream for your life. How can you say love is stronger than hatred when you gave up on everything because of the hatred?"

Meera let out a little laugh, shocked at the boy's audacity.

"I gave up on the corrupted work of the Ministry. I live love now. I gave up on a controlling husband and found myself a wife – got married in the Netherlands, lived my life the way I wanted to, then I came here with my wife and child. I still live love. I just don't live how I thought I would," she explained, shrugging at his confusion. "Sometimes what we have in mind for our future just isn't healthy for us, and as we grow and understand it, it is the adult and mature decision to give up on some things for the sake of survival and true happiness."

"But if what you strive for is happiness?"

"Happiness takes many forms. I am happy with my wife and daughter. I was happy as an activist. But I'm happier knowing that my family is safe, even if I do miss my work sometimes," she admitted. Meera smiled at him. "Even if you don't understand it now, Regulus, one day you will. It's called being adult. I'm sorry that you're having to face the reality of adulthood so early in your life."

"I'm almost an adult –"

"You are not an adult, and you won't be for a few years still. Seventeen is not adulthood," Meera dismissed.

The kettle screamed, making Regulus jump. Meera just chuckled at his reaction and looked over her shoulder towards the kitchen.

"Wait here, dearie," Meera said, making a little movement with her hand. Regulus leaned away from the desk, fixing his posture. "Your tea is ready – Earl Grey is good?"

"It's just fine, ma'am," Regulus answered.

Meera silently cheered, because Earl Grey was one of the best for reading tea leaves afterwards, especially since she hated teabags and always insisted on loose leaves. The problem was that she would have to find out which cup belonged to whom.

Once the tea tray was ready, she levitated it to the front desk and followed Regulus up the stairs towards the bedroom the couple would be staying. She left it to Regulus' capable hands once they got to the front of the bedroom door, quickly making her way towards the stairs once more to give the couple privacy.

She stopped on the top of the stairs once she heard the door open and close quickly.

Meera had barely taken a step down the stairs when she heard the male sobs of Regulus Black falling apart in Luna Lupin's arms. And once more she cursed the capacity of humankind to use children as soldiers in every war.

It was already night when the couple left.

Regulus Black stumbled out of the inn without taking the time to stay goodbye, cravat tied and finally put together once more. Probably having been fixed under Luna's eyes capable eyes and hands.

Luna Lupin, however, walked down the stairs a few minutes later with the tray in hand and looking more exhausted than ever. She smiled to Meera anyway as she put the tray on the front desk with her eyebrows raising as if she knew a secret that nobody else did.

"This cup is mine, if you're interested," Luna said, pointing at the cup to the left. "That one is Regulus'."

"You are too smart for your own good, Luna," Meera said with a small chuckle.

She reached for the whole tray, expecting to read it once she was alone, but Luna leaned forward, trying to see whatever Meera was about to see.

Meera understood the anxiety Luna was under to be so focused in tasseography. Usually someone with such an interest in Alchemy would not have an interest in reading tea leaves for the future, but during a war where her lover was in the frontlines, one did fall for the possibility of knowing his outcome.

"Your cup has a spiral and dashes. No proper format besides it," Meera said, showing it to Luna and smiling at her. "It means nothing bad. It means change, business and creativity. You're in your last year of school, I can imagine a lot is changing, especially nowadays."

Luna looked at the other cup.

"I don't care for my leaves, Madame Meera," she said as politely as she could.

Meera chuckled.

"Yes, yes," she said in a dismissive tone. "I'd imagine you would want nothing to do with your own future when you're so in love with him."

The woman pulled the tray closer and took the other cup in hand, looking attentively at it as her eyes trying to find any shape or form in the mess, turning it to the sides to get a better look in other angles.

"So?" Luna asked. She leaned over the desk to see the cup herself, impatient. "What do you see?"

Meera frowned.

"Not much," she admitted.

"Like mine, then," Luna said, some relief in her voice.

The woman did not answer at first, still staring at the cup to find something to interpret and read to the girl.

"I can see knots, like a child's scribble. It usually means anxiety and a lot of stress in someone's life, which would make sense in times like this, but... there's something more, I just can't make it out –" she stopped herself, narrowing her eyes. "There's a chain."

"A chain? What does it mean? Is it something bad?" Luna asked, hands grabbing the underside of the desk to keep herself in place.

Meera put the cup down on the tray once more.

"It means that he'll do something that will change everything in his life. One single moment will define everything else afterwards – a chain of events, if you will," Meera explained, frowning at Luna. "There's a lot of responsibility resting of his shoulders, I'm sure. After all he is who he is. But there's more to it. Whatever it about to happen, it'll affect a lot of people around him, not just himself."

Luna looked just as pale as Regulus when he first walked in.

I expected this chapter to be longer and more detailed, but I just couldn't, so I'm sorry for the timing being odd.

I hope you all liked it.