❝Bonus Chapter - A Sirius Visit❞

Instructions

°•Bonus Chapter - A Sirius Visit•° My 5-year-old second cousin, Veronika Malfoy could only stand there, staring at me after she opened the door. Her face a mixture of genuine surprise and happiness. She doesn’t remember this moment well, after all, she was only 4. So I will do my best to tell it all with as much detail as possible. I am Sirius Black. Not many people know that I escaped Azkaban more than once. However, that is another story for another day. “Are you going to let me in?” I teased Vera. She opened the door wider and embraced me tightly. I patted her back lovingly. Vera always told me she thought of me more like an uncle than a second cousin. She took my hand and led me to the parlor. Let’s just say that Lucius and Narcissa were… not as enthusiastic about by arrival. Yet they motioned for me to sit nonetheless. Lucius looked at Vera and told her, “This conversation does not concern you.” I glanced down at Vera, who was clearly crestfallen. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. She smiled sadly at me, but walked away. I sat on one of the velvet armchairs in the parlor, and prepared for the worst of Lucius’ responses to what I had to say. “While in Azkaban, I learned many things about the Dark Lord. And I felt that I should tell you two first in an attempt to change your minds about him.” I began. Lucius looked on the verge of outrage, but Narcissa looked at me as if she was hoping that Lucius actually could be convinced. “I have no doubt that the Dark Lord has good intentions for everything he does. And even in his lessened form, he has more power than you could possibly imagine.” Lucius countered haughtily. “Do not so willingly place your trust in Voldemort. As soon as he gets what he needs, he will have no use for any of you death-eaters.” I told him the truth. Voldemort would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. “My family has been loyal to him for decades. Draco, Xavier, and Veronika will join him in time.” “Not Veronika. She is different. I beg you to embrace that difference.” I directed this mostly at Lucius. “And most of all, she will need you all to understand.” Lucius sighed, “As high as I hold my allegiance to the Dark Lord… I hold the safety and well-being of my children higher.” Narcissa smiled at Lucius, but he just looked uncomfortable. He was probably hoping that Voldemort hadn’t heard him say that. “There’s hope for you yet.” I admitted. I stood up and said, “I’m glad I at least got to talk to you both. But, I’m afraid I must be going.” They bade me farewell, Lucius’ was particularly short, and I walked out of the parlor. Waiting behind one of the pillars marking the entrance to the parlor stood Vera, her face confused. Evidently she had heard everything we discussed, even if she did not know what to make of it. I hugged her again and patted her head. “Write to me soon, Vera.” I held out in my hand what looked like a little puff ball, but Vera knew what it was immediately. She had the most adorable look on her face as she lifted the spotted owlet from my hand and held it close to her. “Oh, thank you Sirius! Thank you!” “What will you name her?” “I’ll name her Alhena, and I know she’ll always come back to me!” Vera softly patted the little owl. She hugged me again, then led me back to the front door, at my request. “I want to be in Ravenclaw house someday, Sirius!” She said. “And so you shall be, dearest.” I replied, knowing it in my heart, “So you shall be.”