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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArUSmC9rxZ
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They were going to sleep in the same room while Eliza was going to move in another one. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOij8w7vlJ
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhEjAxmEOs
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOKQO2Shhd
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"Do you believe we're in danger?" He finally asked, turning to her before sitting on his bed slowly.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx7H1kFDKy
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"Do you?"772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboxi1JbGvE
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"I don't know. I hope not but the Order is getting together again." Ron answered sourly.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAQqSxIsDW
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"What is this Order?" 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC6F3JWZDU
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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."772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANeLhyfiG5
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavhjiCBfLV
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"So, everyone downstairs was in the order before," Eliza concluded, her mind instantly going to her mother.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwrjsjjo8N
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtGY39X5h1
"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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPmDWUoyhR
"I'm curious when did this happen..." 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ByHjcXAt7
The way Eliza said it made both Tonks and Remus shift uncomfortably in their seats. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m2GLZDVzl
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezexZM2O3c
"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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ2EIrLAaS
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzVhqmoH2p
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UF4l8YSfp
“Wh-What is this for?” Eliza asked, holding the dream catcher like it was infested.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwFsi5l6TI
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ug22w78DA
“Does it gather your dreams in such a small thing?” Ron asked, tilting his head while scanning curiously the object.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lDsXi9yyF
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfMyVq1Q6b
“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. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oKf5Qyug6
'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. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BFitmXcME
'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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc2u2n0rQO
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. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL9SjlCzRS
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx4NOoNUxW
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DKjRH6rOz
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFraAu1f7i
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFm98Kt0SN
“Why not?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2xUnbAcXV
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdjuGG7snv
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0wXZjnLJ
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbbTKeP0ku
“But I go to Hogwarts and I saw Barty Crouch and the Minister. The teachers-“772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGc3HrorcD
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomRrS84TZA
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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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHyJhzLaGQ
“You’re taunting Slytherins, aren’t you?” 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo27FCK8JF6
It was supposed to be a joke but her head snapped towards him so fast that he couldn’t help but laugh.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV48y8ZONF
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevujqPXgMY
Eliza sighed once her father got out of sight and leaned her head against the wall with a frown.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFoGiIPEqF
“Don’t trust anyone, right mom?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92r5eqGePj
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUIdbQCE1N
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2HFbZdGhH
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnJgNPBRy3
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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zp9jv2siw
“Bringing strangers, moreover mudbloods, into the Black Mansion, master would have been so mad.” 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf0FUQn9PO
He continued to ramble about that before he made himself unseen by descending the stairs.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8saX3AUE9
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.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu1HiUPMQ6
“Was she trying to change his mind?” Eliza asked, glancing up at her father over her shoulder.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsGnzSdqty
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.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrif7t0kTp
“Regulus knew where mom hid?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcg4HAwmnk
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnlR6ZdGQE
“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. 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTcllBY4fX
“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.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe27GueQJu
“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." 772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP0Ry1745Z
Sirius stared at her blankly, registering her threat before he chuckled and hugged her tightly.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0c97ohTgu
“You never cease to surprise your father.” He mumbled, feeling closer to her after getting that guilt off his chest.
