Interlude: Druella Black nee Rosier
I've always been of the opinion that Walburga Black is, and always has been, a singularly loathsome women. If dear old Lucretia hadn't agreed to come along, after I strenuously insisted she helped dilute the vile woman's attentions, I would have simply spurned her invitation. I was still of mind to excuse myself at the earliest convenience hadn't Cygnus and Orion arrived right at that moment. They hadn't arrived alone either. Flanked by the two were Abraxas Malfoy and my brother Evan.
"Good lord, Orion. We get it, you've been grievously injured by the lad, but have greater concerns at play here."
Oh?
I didn't need to ask who they were talking about. Everything this past week seemed to revolve around a curious young boy by the name of Severus Snape. I had no doubt this
somehow involved him as well.
"Good evening, Husband. Brother.
Parvenu. What ails dear old Orion this fine evening?"
Abraxas took it in good stead. He knows I don't actually disapprove of and his fine young son but every so often they must be reminded of their upstart roots.
"Must we go through this again, Druella?"
I elected to ignore that.
Evan walked over to kiss me on the cheek and whispered to me, "Exciting things are afoot, my dear sister."
I turned to him, "Oh?"
He flashed me his, despite his age still fairly mischievous, smile and said, "Young Mr. Snape has created a cure-all, sweet sister. A veritable panacea that heals virtually all injuries and diseases!"
Orion grumpily bit out, "There are still a handful of limitations."
Abraxas laughed his delightfully boorish guffaw, "Still so very sore, Orion? It's as close to a panacea as anyone has ever discovered. Excepting Flamel and his miraculous concoction, of course."
Good heavens. I was growing more and more impressed with the young Snape. Perhaps Bella had more of an eye for talent than I gave her credit for?
Evan spoke up, "And unlike that old shut-in, Mr. Snape has seen fit to share his
Ambrosia with the world. The lad even went so far as to threaten and cajole half the Wizengamot to see it to that us greedy old men didn't seek to restrict it!"
My brother looked exceptionally pleased. There was something ever so slightly different about him, beyond his current high spirits, that I couldn't quite grasp. Something significant had occurred and I had no doubt I'd get to the bottom of it. Sooner hopefully than later.
Abraxas smiled widely and said, "He orchestrated a unanimous vote! I never thought I'd see the day, Evan!"
What was ailing Orion? I had never seem the man so discombobulated. I was about to inquire but then Warbulga offered up some inane comment or other. I barely paid any attention to it and simply left whatever matter she'd brought up to her poor husband.
Instead I turned to Evan and whispered to him, "What happened, brother? You look-."
He interrupted me and said, "Happier? Hopeful? My dear Druella! Our futures are looking ever so bright, once more. Young Mr. Snape is everything I had hoped for!"
Before I could ask him to elaborate when one of our house elves, Mimsy, appeared and handed me a small parcel. I took it from the creature and noted with delight it was sent by Narcissa. I spent the next few minutes carefully reading through her writings before turning to Orion.
"Orion, dear, might I impose upon you for your pensive? Narcissa has sent us a memory she feels we should urgently peruse."
So it was said and so it was done. Kreacher, the Black head elf, hurried along with Orion's pensive. I upended the memory into the device and motioned for Cygnus to join me.
What we saw left a deep chill within me. The half blood Prince thoroughly dominated the cluster of Slytherins who dared oppose him. I was at times horrified at his decisiveness and at others I could barely believe the composure that let him control the flow of combat. I wasn't a duelist myself but even I could tell that his care to ensure nobody, excepting poor Bella, got hurt was breath taking. I could barely comprehend the spell he used to set all the students adrift into the air and resolved to look into it.
Cygnus chose to remain quiet with a pensive look about him as he rewound the memory back to it's beginnings. This time other details were made more clear to me. Narcissa obviously took note of queer demeanor as he entered the Slytherin common room, and smartly evacuated herself from the conflict, something which I greatly approved of.
When we watched it for a third time Cygnus finally spoke.
"
That was a chilling display of combat mastery." He suddenly broke out in a smile, "I cannot express how gladdened I am he may prove able to to his words to action."
I simply asked him, "Oh?"
Instead of replying he changed the subject, "I'm inclined to open a personal dialogue with the young man, my dear."
I briefly considered pressing him on the issue but decided against it. If he thought it didn't bear mentioning I'd trust in that. This however was just his own way of asking for my input.
I obliged my husband and said, "Of course, Cygnus. This bears
exploring, wouldn't you say?"
He looked at me, smiled yet again, and finally said, "I see no reason to stand in Bella's way if she feels she can pursue the lad. I may in fact encourage her, if that would at all help."
I agreed but there was no need to confirm. He knew my mind already. We exited the memory and in our stead Evan, Abraxas and Orion dipped into the memory.
"Well, what did you see, Druella?"
I clamped down on the urge to scowl and simply told Walburga, "Narcissa's compelling argument for further sequestering of your errant child, Walburga. I'm sure you've heard of the enmity between Sirius and young Mr. Snape. I look forward to you resolving the matter."
That certainly shut her down. Lucretia looked fairly curious but she'd hold it in. Within moments Evan withdrew from the pensive to start madly laughing. Abraxas joined in with his own ill refined giggles and Orion
still looked unsettled. Lucretia and Walburga next made their way over to the pensive.
"What is the matter, dearest Cousin? You've been out of sorts ever since you walked in."
His gaze caught mine and he bit out, "
Nothing of import. I trust you understand the pressing need to ensure that the Snape boy looks upon on Family with fondness?"
Not that it was any of
his business, she is
our daughter, but I agreed with my cousin.
Evan interjected, "And I trust
you'll comprehend, Orion, that he likely won't agree to any match with either of Cygnus' daughters when you've struck poor Andromeda from your tapestry?"
Walburga had appeared just as Evan shared that ludicrous opinion but again, I barely paid any attention to her incessant screeching. Instead I focused on my brother. Why would he think that?
Orion saved me the trouble of inquiring, "Oh? Why would that be, Evan?"
Abraxas slung his arm around Orion flaunting his disregard for proper decorum and said, "Isn't it obvious? Did you not see the murderous rage in his eyes when Augustus Prince tried to worm his way into our conversation?"
"What does that-."
Evan just interrupted him again, "
Because, Orion, he seems more than a little peeved with the man who disowned his mother. I can only imagine the hardships they must have endured, if the rumors surrounding them are true, and he doesn't strike me as the type to easily forgive similar actions."
Abraxas swiftly responded, "And what about the tensions between your oldest and Severus? I can imagine the boy holding his...behavior rather against you."
Walburga once again droned on about the disgrace of my daughter but I wasn't about to acknowledge her. Not when she so terribly failed her own children.
I said, "Andromeda has chosen her path and I believe it's one that she will not be dissuaded from."
Abraxas stared me down with a curious glint in his eyes, "Then perhaps it's time for
us to change
our paths to reflect hers."
I....I didn't know what to say to that.
Orion frowned a little before replying, "I'll give it some consideration and I'll speak frankly with Sirius. Until then I'm inclined to trust in Snape's ability to
deal with our mutual
friend."
Cygnus chose to interject, "Narcissa mentioned that young Mr. Snape implied he has some
Seer abilities and she wonders why there hasn't been even so much as a rumor about the Prince line holding such a trait."
Evan frowned and replied, "That's because they don't have it. Trelawney, Wilkes and Shafiq are the only Seer bloodlines I'm aware of."
Cygnus continued, "She also inquired about the possibility of Snape's muggle father being distantly related to any defunct squib lines."
While this was interesting I excused myself to write a reply back to dear Narcissa. Cygnus requested I added a few words of his own after which I handed the message off to Mimsy.
My Dearest Narcissa,
As I write you, I must report that your Father and Uncle are quite beside themselves and find the circumstance in which Bellatrix has placed herself most disconcerting. Your poor Father! How he must have felt it! I depend on your comprehensive understanding on how your sister perceives a challenge and admit to some trepidation after viewing your recollections. It has always been her nature to be most intemperate with that which frustrates her. Remind your dear sister of Hogwart's motto, Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus, forcefully if necessary. I will not have it!
It is a discouragement that such Talent is found in these types of occurrences as I was informing Cousins Lucretia and Dorea during our weekly calls. This is a most unusual young man, and as I have always claimed, Blood will out. I think I shall take Tea with Aunt Cassiopeia to garner a more complete understanding of this young Snape's circumstances. Perhaps there is some Quality that has been obfuscated. It is such a shame I will be unable to meet with Aunt Cassiopeia until after the Holiday as the upcoming Annual Benefit Luncheon has me quite busy.
I am pleased to hear that your education progresses well. You simply must tell me about your Tea with the junior Mr. Malfoy. I will be meeting with the Women's Auxillary of Saint Mungos next week to Chair our Annual Benefit Lucheon and you may well imagine that I am delighted on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to Ladies.
Please continue to facilitate the tutoring as Cousin Charis and I agree that such a thing is only to the betterment of our families at this time. Do let Regulus know to expect a package from that Dreadful Woman and Uncle Orion. Poor child. Never mind the meanderings of an old woman.
I took the liberty of sending some of your favorite Family bagatelles for your Tea with the junior Mr. Malfoy. You always did love Aunt Elladora's earbobs. I look forward to your future correspondences.
With great affection,
Your Mother
Druella Black nee Rosier
PS: Your father wishes to convey his strict instruction Bella does not antagonize the Snape boy any further. I do hope I don't have to mention this goes for you, Regulus and Sirius as well.
AN: Full credit for the letter once again goes to @Essus !
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