Eliza got nudged towards the other levels of the house by the twins. They were very keen on trying out their new merchandise in the Black household.
“Your brothers are strange human beings,” Eliza mumbled walking towards the younger ginger.
Ron was looking for stuff in his luggage.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrVRAvxxSH
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They were going to sleep in the same room while Eliza was going to move in another one. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9711gyRHpk
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“You haven’t seen anything yet,” He whispered aware that his brothers were somewhere close and could hear him.
Ron didn’t need any funny jokes played on him while being in an unknown territory.
"So, this is where you live?" He continued, looking quite surprised of how suspicious and dark was the house on the inside.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDLEeo68TQ
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"No. I live with Remus. I only come here when it's safe. This summer's been very safe. Kreacher would never tell anyone about us. He's still loyal to the Black family." She explained, sitting on the bed next to Ron's trunk.
As minutes passed, silence fell between the two Gryffindors. Eliza could see Ron struggling to start another subject.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeoNPkXKQo
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"Do you believe we're in danger?" He finally asked, turning to her before sitting on his bed slowly.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrusEl9TxJ7
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"Do you?"794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqLOCFGsSw
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"I don't know. I hope not but the Order is getting together again." Ron answered sourly.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo0q4VDo4W
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"What is this Order?" 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH42f4T1Cr
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"The Order of the Phoenix is a secret gathering, a coalition created by Dumbledore during the war."
That response didn't come from Ron even if he had his mouth open.
Hermione smiled when the rest figured she was there, "Nice to see you two."794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR634yy3GL
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She hugged Eliza before being conflicted between hugging Ron or not. The green eyed witch watched bemused how awkward was their reunion, even after four years of being best friends.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIOofcGv7z
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"So, everyone downstairs was in the order before," Eliza concluded, her mind instantly going to her mother.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m903yDRQJ
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"Yes."
A few hours later, Mrs. Weasley called them all for dinner. It was a feast and Eliza couldn't remember the last time she ate so much and still wanted more. She wasn’t the type to complain about one's cooking skills but Mrs. Weasley was infinitely better than Remus.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm7saLKeYW
"You're Liz, right? I'm Tonks," The woman introduced herself. "It's nice to finally meet you. You are everything Remus talks about, except our problem of course." She continued.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzklW9aYLXv
"I'm curious when did this happen..." 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbhR95uwfm
The way Eliza said it made both Tonks and Remus shift uncomfortably in their seats. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b8NlK8qRo
Hermione rolled her eyes, already knowing what to expect from her friend.
"We are both working for the Order and just met this summer." Tonks responded without any restraints.
The Gryffindor was being watched by everyone. They knew Eliza could get rather mean when she was talking to new people. She was known for her blunt personality but Tonks seemed to brush it off easily.
Mr Weasley coughed before changing the subject quickly.
"He's back." Sirius frowned yet he said that with his own mouth. "Voldemort's probably searching for his old loyal dogs." He continued when the eyes moved on him.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2VMkHLbfH
"Indeed. I already talked to Dumbledore and we came to the conclusion that any caution the ministry will take -if they will take one, that is- will not be powerful enough. Therefore, we should all take our former positions in the Order and examine the problem thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. I’m telling you all, we should prepare for the worst but hope for the best.” He finished, smiling softly as encouragement, especially to his children and wife.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OOrRZa9l1
Eliza watched and listened to his speech with attention but her mind couldn’t agree with what Mr Weasley said. Voldemort was being careful, meticulous even, and they had little to no help from most of the wizarding comunity. It was only them, a few people ready to risk their lives. Eliza was wondering if it was worth it.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBU06PSre8
After dinner, Hermione told her friends what she has done that month with her parents. She also gave Eliza a book about dreams and a dream catcher, which only confused both the brunette and the ginger.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwwM5DhobR
“Wh-What is this for?” Eliza asked, holding the dream catcher like it was infested.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNFch2kHy8
“It’s supposed to catch your dreams and help you sleep peacefully. I know you had trouble sleeping last year.” She responded in that you-should-know-that-already manner.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n5LStJPgr
“Does it gather your dreams in such a small thing?” Ron asked, tilting his head while scanning curiously the object.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBs4yJnRPG
Hermione scoffed, “Of course not! It doesn’t literally take your dreams; it’s not magic.” She stated in a voice that hinted just how silly Ron sounded, causing him to slightly glare at her.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wztai4K0f
“Well, anyway, thank you.” Eliza admitted, genuinely grateful.
Hermione’s mood changed drastically after she saw the smile on Eliza’s face.
The next few days were spent talking about what went wrong during the first time Voldemort was in power.
The children were not as affected by their conversations as were Remus and Sirius. They lost a lot during the war and one of their friends betrayed them, said Mrs. Weasley one night. She could understand their pain well.
Eliza was going back to her room when she heard the portrait of Mrs. Black from further the hall. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcht0RfUugd
'Mudblood in my house! I cannot believe him! He brought all those tainted people in here! I should have been harder on him, that deception of a son!'
Eliza rolled her eyes and walked up the stairs when she heard Mrs. Black's last complaint. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRVmBWTRhl
'He brought that child here. I can't believe him! His brother died because of that cursed woman.'
Now that was something new. Mrs. Black obviously hated Sirius but to have her hate someone she didn't know was even worse.
Eliza walked upstairs with a lot to think about. She leaned against the wall and remembered her mother's cries in front of Voldemort. I hate you! You don't know how it feels like! I will not tell you anything! Then, was it about her or about the Order?
"Daydreaming again?"
Eliza's head raised instantly to meet the chocolate brown eyes of her godfather.
"I heard Mrs. Black saying something about mom. She called her 'the cursed woman'." Eliza said softly.
Remus frowned. He looked extremely uncomfortable which only made Eliza more curious.
Eliza scoffed, “Hogwarts is the safest place to be right now.” She combated.
“Not for you.” He stated, hitting her lightly on the forehead, making her feel more confused.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19VIjT8Ky4
Seeing her grow up from such a young age, Remus had the opportunity to take notice –even if he wanted to or not- of the way she built a certain wall between herself and the world. However, that wall had moments when it was up and moments it was completely pushed down, depending on the events and her connection to them. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkw17fi14l
From the moment she told him about her first dream with Ophelia, he knew he should never let that wall fall at all.
Those green eyes were staring intensely into Remus’, not blinking once. It was a bit weird, he admitted, but he knew her mind was probably making up scenarios in order to find answers.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPSe1Dyp2c
“It’s alright, Remus. I’ll talk take it from here.” Sirius suddenly walked up the stairs, his eyes staring at his daughter.
The werewolf man sighed heavily and let her father interfere, walking towards the stairs with his own problems to solve.
Sirius walked towards his daughter and pulled her around, so they could face each other properly. Eliza blinked twice before she realized the men changed and the one standing in front of her had darker hair and a very unique style of clothing.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhZotJlYR
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“I want to go to Hogwarts,” She started rapidly, not even letting Sirius say a word before establishing that, “That place has given me more life and comfort than anything. I’m not going to turn my back when it gets hard.” She added, staring at her father earnestly.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuFMqnprcl
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“I know. I would do the same. But Liz, these are dangerous times, unpredictable times. I want you to lay low and keep your ears perked because the strangest things happen in the shadows. No matter what you hear, don’t tell anyone, not even Dumbledore.” He lowered his voice towards the end of the sentence, like he was afraid the walls could hear him.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALAV3BErrm
“Why not?”794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1759KuSah
“Normal teenagers like your friends are not allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts. The causes are diverse of course...” He added, jumping from serious to his usual self.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3wm2IU4iM
“Wait, but I use magic every day!” She almost screamed for everyone to hear, getting a stern look from her father before she continued, “You train me with magic.” She hissed.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqWZLZRcLi
“That’s because the ministry doesn’t know you exist.” He finally explained. “You were born in utter secrecy, far away from here.” He continued, seemingly more comfortable now that he told her that little bit of information.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwFN5kwzXD
“But I go to Hogwarts and I saw Barty Crouch and the Minister. The teachers-“794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6PzxV2d8e
“They've always known of your existence and they promised not to divulge your secret. Of course, you ran along and grabbed the eye of young Malfoy,” He trailed, leaning in and looking straight into her eyes.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoHjZc0c4m
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She froze and started to fidget nervously, “That was a mistake,” She responded like it wasn’t much yet she avoided looking at him. “He will lose interest if he hasn’t already.” Eliza tried to fake innocence but Sirius wasn’t blind.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQrK9X60Ew
“You’re taunting Slytherins, aren’t you?” 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfhPTJPPsF
It was supposed to be a joke but her head snapped towards him so fast that he couldn’t help but laugh.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3d5W34qty
“I guess it’s in the blood,” He commented rubbing the back of his neck. “Anyway, don’t forget what I said, Liz. Don’t tell anyone what you hear; not even Dumbledore or Harry.” He finished, ruffling her hair before groggily walking downstairs.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHwVqQptdN
Eliza sighed once her father got out of sight and leaned her head against the wall with a frown.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNb8SZVcFD
“Don’t trust anyone, right mom?”794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZHZCd8uBz
The rest of the days passed very quickly and Eliza decided to enjoy the time with her friends and keep her issues for later.
As it has been whispered in between the members of the Order, Harry was not to know about their gathering or about the existence of the Order. Hermione and the Weasley siblings agreed without asking but Eliza had doubts. Harry was the one who met Voldemort and felt his wrath so why was he being kept away? He was the one who needed this Order more than anybody in the house. He've got to know what to expect.
She didn’t utter a word, of course, but she started spending more and more time in the room on the first floor- the one with the lineage.
Eliza didn’t have to be a genius to know who she was talking about; besides, doing magic outside school was illegal. It seemed that everyone made a big deal out of it, especially Mr. Weasley who was working at the Ministry and had already been contacted by the Minister.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuGOVSEGrI
“They won’t close an eye on this and you know it, Sirius.” Mr. Weasley started, invoking everyone in the kitchen for an urgent meeting.
“That’s alright! He only protected himself, of course he needed magic!” He screamed just to make his point clearer.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92P3zTB1O2
Remus sighed and rubbed his forehead, feeling like he grew a few years older in such a short time. He noticed Eliza’s figure standing on the first few stairs, listening to their discussion, and closed the door.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3veEFedG7J
The green eyed girl sighed and went into her room. The house elf was just coming out of the same room when he saw her coming from downstairs with a pitiful expression. Instead of leaving silently, scared of what may happen if he opens his mouth, Kreacher glared at her.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZo2ZBte24
“Bringing strangers, moreover mudbloods, into the Black Mansion, master would have been so mad.” 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AJObcDUR7
He continued to ramble about that before he made himself unseen by descending the stairs.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbme0kUekRV
Eliza rolled her eyes at the strange elf and turned towards her room only to find the door closed. That was the moment she realized whose room it was.
Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black.
Eliza chuckled and caressed the inscription softly before opening the door and taking a long look at the place. The walls, windows and bed were draped with Slytherin's trademark colors: emerald and silver. The Black family crest was painted over the bed along with the family motto: Toujours Pur.
It was a room of melancholy and it held memories of a man whose destiny was regrettable.
Above the desk on the left was a picture of the Slytherin Quidditch team from back then, with Regulus standing in the middle.
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Her eyes moved lower, on the desk where there was some kind of collage glued together. She got up and walked over, grabbing one of the pictures that fell off. It must have been from the war because Voldemort was being very proactive and the aurors were having a hard time keeping up with the Death Eaters. Alastor Moody’s name appeared in one of the articles as an uncontrollable, mad auror who was under questionable usage of the deadly curses. Eliza chuckled and placed it down, looking over what was left of the collage.
In a way, it was beautiful to see just what kind of boy was Regulus as he grew up and what kind of interests he had. On the other side, he was infatuated with Voldemort and that was enough for a characterization.
She jumped at the sudden voice. Thankfully, it was Sirius.
“Harry will be brought here shortly.” He announced before realizing she was going through Regulus’ old stuff. “My younger brother was much more than what this room shows you.” Sirius added as he walked inside, stopping right behind her and looking at the picture above the desk. “So much more,” He trailed in a melancholic trance.
“Ophelia took good care of Regulus during our school years. She was more like a sister than I was a brother to him.” He started, placing his hands on her shoulders in a fatherly way, “She had a certain talent for understanding Slytherins and would often take their side against us. I couldn’t understand why she was so protective of Regulus until he became a Death Eater.”794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96iZ1ILP8g
“Was she trying to change his mind?” Eliza asked, glancing up at her father over her shoulder.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNdZxGWNUE
Sirius chuckled, “Maybe it was the other way around. It doesn’t matter now. Your mother had never been a Death Eater nor had interest to become one. She wanted us to be a family, even when the family turned against me. Regulus was a loyal kid and somehow, he remained loyal to the Black name and to his sisterly figure while I destroyed everything.”794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5MCenabrd
“Regulus knew where mom hid?”794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQykxKkWBb
“Yes. Maybe I didn’t kill James and Lily but I definitely killed Ophelia.” He mumbled, taking his daughter by surprise with that sudden testimony.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOWON2nix4
“You were in Azkaban when mom died.” She clarified, more for her own good than his, “You were in Azkaban.”
Sirius sighed and watched her green eyes softening and hardening with the swirl of thoughts and emotions she was going through. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMuKiRdmxh
“Regulus died very young, Liz. Before he died, he asked me where your mother hid and I told him. I knew he would never betray her but I was wrong. He told Malfoy and a few years later, Ophelia died." He explained, feeling even worse than before.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYDBBUrP7
“That’s irrelevant. Regulus never hurt mom and neither have you. The ones responsible are cold hearted filthy wizards. I remember their faces clearly,” Her green eyes darkened at the memory as she continued, “I will make sure they get their doze of pain." 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmgUqLwO22
Sirius stared at her blankly, registering her threat before he chuckled and hugged her tightly.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nz1WthAb2
“You never cease to surprise your father.” He mumbled, feeling closer to her after getting that guilt off his chest.
