Hogwarts 70's: The Adventures of the Marauders | Headcanon

Summer, July 1971

The shrill cries of Walburga echoed through every corner of Number 12, Grimmauld Place, making even the portraits on the staircase stir uneasily in their frames.

"Traitor! Shame of the lineage!" she bellowed, not pausing for breath. Every word seemed like a curse hurled into the air. "This is a disgrace! Our blood, sullied! An insult to the Black family!"

Kreacher, their old and loyal house-elf, shrank at every shout behind her, muttering in despair under his breath.

"Oh, my poor mistress! She does not deserve this for the noble House of Black!" he whimpered, wringing his hands.

Orion, standing beside her, sighed impatiently.

"For Morgana's sake, Walburga, calm down," he urged, his tired voice betraying that he didn't really expect her to listen. He had seen his wife lose her temper before, but this time he knew it was different.

Walburga was clutching a crumpled letter in her hand so tightly it seemed on the verge of tearing. She thrust it towards her husband with trembling fingers, as if the parchment burned her skin. Orion took it without haste, though his brow furrowed deeply as he began to read. As his eyes scanned the lines, his face flushed red with indignation.

"This is unacceptable," he growled, clenching his jaw. "We must go speak with your brother."

Walburga nodded automatically, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Oh yes, and we had better do so," she muttered, her voice quivering with rage. "I won't allow this family to sink into the mud because of someone else's stupidity!"

From the landing above, Sirius leaned over the banister, observing in silence. It wasn't often that Walburga lost her composure like that. His mother never cried. Ever. Not even when Grandmother had passed away. And yet, there she was, falling apart, her eyes red, and fury flickering through her tears. Could it be because he would soon leave for Hogwarts? Did his future absence affect her? He dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come. No… that seemed more like the reason behind her good mood these past weeks.

He decided it was the perfect time to head downstairs. He leapt lightly over the last few steps, hoping to uncover the reason for the uproar. However, the scathing look his mother shot at him stopped him dead in his tracks, as though his mere presence irritated her further.

"Not now, Sirius," she snapped, venom in her voice, before he could even speak. "I haven't the time or patience for your insolence."

Sirius, who was just about to respond with a cheeky grin, froze when he noticed his father's stern expression. Something very serious must have happened if even Orion looked this rigid and composed.

At that moment, a smaller boy with the same dark hair appeared behind Sirius, descending the stairs cautiously. He bore a striking resemblance to his older brother, though he was neither as tall nor as handsome.

"What's going on?" he asked, glancing from his brother to his parents with obvious confusion.

Sirius shrugged.

Walburga's face seemed to soften slightly at the sight of her younger son. For some reason, that no longer bothered Sirius as much as it once had.

"I think she's finally lost what little sanity she had left," Sirius whispered playfully, glancing sideways at his brother. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Regulus frowned in disapproval.

"That's not funny, Sirius," he said with the kind of seriousness he had undoubtedly inherited from their mother.

Ignoring the comment, Regulus stepped closer to their mother, his expression a mix of caution and devotion.

"Tissues, Kreacher."

The house-elf reacted instantly, snapping his fingers. A neat tower of tissues appeared in his hands, and Kreacher offered them reverently.

"Oh, my poor mistress…" Kreacher whimpered, as though he were suffering inside himself. "Kreacher suffers to see her like this!"

"How could this happen, Orion?" Walburga sobbed, taking one of the tissues and dabbing at her eyes. "She's shameless! Ungrateful! After everything we've done for her!"

"Well, your brother has always been far too soft with his daughters," Orion said coldly. "I thought that girl would at least have the decency to follow Bella's example. But no. She's chosen to disgrace us with a…" —his lip curled in disgust— "a filthy Mudblood."

Regulus frowned slightly, more intrigued.

"What happened?" he asked once again, with the same patient curiosity, as his father handed him the letter. Regulus took it and began reading silently, his eyes scanning the lines quickly as his expression shifted, understanding the reason behind the commotion.

In front of them, Sirius watched the scene unfold with a grin he could barely contain. There was something perversely amusing about the chaos in his home: his mother hysterical, his father stiff, and his brother forever trying to please them.

"So… Andromeda's married a Mudblood and left the family," Regulus said slowly, as if still trying to process what he had read. "Why would she do that?"

Sirius snorted, his grin widening into a smirk.

"I think there's a word for when people run off together… What is it again? Oh, yes: love," he replied with a hint of mockery, emphasising the word as though it were the most ridiculous thing in the world.

He couldn't believe that the cause of all this commotion was a wedding. Weddings were supposed to bring joy, weren't they? But of course, in the Black household, joy turned into disgrace if one mingled with someone inferior.

Walburga's face turned a deep shade of crimson, as if she were about to explode. Her jaw clenched alarmingly, and fury blazed in her eyes as though Sirius had just spat in her face.

"That traitor is no longer a Black!" she spat loudly, drawing her wand with a swift and violent movement. She was so menacing that even Sirius tensed, feeling a slight urge to step back.

Without another word, she stormed past him, almost shoving him aside as she went.

"Mother! Where are you going?" Regulus called as he ran after her.

Sirius, however, didn't need to ask. He knew exactly where his mother was headed, and the mere thought of it filled him with a mixture of disgust and resignation.

Kreacher trotted behind Walburga, muttering to himself, "The noble and most ancient House of Black, dishonoured by a blood traitor… My poor mistress, wounded in her pride by that filthy girl!"

The elf's tone was a growl of pure indignation, his long ears trembling with every word. Sirius, unable to resist, intercepted him as he passed.

"Kreacher, mind your words," he snapped. "That 'filthy girl' is still my cousin. She's still a Black."

The elf gave him a look of confused disdain. "She is no longer a Black. Mistress has said so, and that's how it must be…" Kreacher replied with a false sense of sorrow. "But Kreacher won't speak further if it displeases young master."

Still, as he walked away, the elf muttered a few insults under his breath, loud enough for Sirius to catch.

"Stupid elf," Sirius muttered in frustration, running a hand through his hair. He was about to head up to his room to avoid any further confrontations when he felt the firm grip of a hand on his arm.

"Stop being so clever, Sirius," his father growled, gripping him tightly enough to hurt.

Sirius felt a shiver of anger, but also of fear. He clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to pull away.

"Don't make me lose my patience, boy. Go to your mother now." Orion's tone was cold and threatening as he released him with a slight shove.

Sirius shot him a defiant look. His eyes burned with contained fury, but behind that mask of rebellion, there was fear. As much as he hated to admit it, he feared his father more than anyone.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Orion murmured, his tone almost like a challenge.

With his stomach knotted and his heart pounding in his chest, Sirius took a step towards the direction his mother had disappeared.

Reluctantly, Sirius entered the room where the imposing family tree loomed, that monument to the Black lineage now feeling more oppressive than ever. He had no desire to witness another of his mother's deranged outbursts; he'd had enough of that in the main hall already.

"The despicable daughter of my brother has defiled our noble house! Cursed wretch! And to think she was here only weeks ago!" Walburga raged, her cheeks flushed with anger once again.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as if struck by a sudden realisation, as though a hidden truth had dawned upon her. She turned towards Sirius, who had just crossed the threshold, and looked at him with unleashed fury.

"YOU KNEW, DIDN'T YOU?!"

Sirius scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I didn't know anything, mother!" he retorted, irritated. And it was true. Andromeda had spent only a few minutes with him after returning from Hogwarts, retreating to his room for a private chat. But she hadn't mentioned a thing, and at the time, she had seemed cheerful, even at peace.

For a moment, Sirius felt a pang of hurt. Why didn't she tell me? She had been more than his cousin, she had been his friend, someone who understood him. But now he understood: that visit had been a farewell. She had known the break with the family was inevitable, that her marriage to a Muggle-born would end any chance of maintaining contact.

Resentment mingled with sadness for a second, but then Sirius shook his head, determined not to let it consume him. Perhaps it was fine for Andromeda to allow herself to be happy, even if it meant leaving him behind. At least someone in this family had the courage to choose their own life.

"I don't believe a single word that comes out of your mouth!" Walburga spat, grabbing Sirius by the neck with such force that the buttons on his collar flew off, bouncing on the wooden floor. Her bloodshot eyes, nearly wild, bore into his. Terror shot through him like a cold chill, momentarily paralyzing him.

"Mom, stop! He doesn't know anything!" Regulus shouted, placing his small hands over hers with almost reverent care, as if afraid of unleashing an even worse storm.

Sirius took a second longer to react, surprise finally giving way to his anger. With a sneer of contempt, he yanked at his mother's hands with all the strength he could muster.

"I already said I didn't know!" he shouted with barely controlled fury, his voice breaking with rage. "Why do you ask if you're not going to listen anyway?"

For a moment, Walburga hesitated. Something like shame crossed her face. Then she abruptly let go. Sirius stumbled back, his hand going to his neck as he adjusted his shirt, pretending as if nothing had affected him.

Walburga smoothed her robes with slow movements, regaining her usual composure, though her lips remained tightly pressed in a thin line of displeasure. Without another word, she walked toward the third wall of the room. There stood the imposing tapestry of the family tree, with its ornate network of names in gold paint. Her gaze landed on the branch where the names of Cygnus and Druella were, extending into three offshoots: Bellatrix – Rodolphus, Andromeda, and Narcissa.

"Toujours Pur... (Always Pure)" she murmured in a low voice, glaring at her niece's name with disdain. "You forgot the family motto... so now we'll forget you."

With her wand raised, she pointed directly at the image representing Andromeda.

"Incendio," she pronounced firmly.

A surge of fire erupted from the tip of her wand, curling around the branch that bore her niece's name. The flames danced across the tapestry, consuming it slowly.

Walburga watched in silence as Andromeda's figure vanished, and for a brief moment, a melancholic smile crossed her face, as if that destruction offered her a twisted, sorrowful comfort.

So, this is how it all ends here, Sirius thought bitterly. With fire and ashes.

"We'd better head to your brother's house," said her husband before leaving the room. Walburga followed lightly, as if the act of burning her niece's name had somehow lightened her spirit. Yet, she continued ranting about Andromeda, her voice echoing with bitterness down the corridor.

Sirius waited until they had both disappeared. Then, he pulled a wand from his pocket and pointed it at the tapestry.

"Aguamenti."

The stream of water extinguished the fire still smouldering on the branch that once held Andromeda's name. Wet ash dripped down in a grey trail over the tapestry.

Regulus, who had been watching silently, narrowed his eyes and held out his hand.

"Mother will be furious if she finds out you've stolen Father's wand from his office again." His tone was calm, but there was a hint of reproach that Sirius couldn't ignore.

"Are you going to rat me out, brother?" Sirius replied, raising an eyebrow as he handed him the wand. With a final glance at the blackened wall, he headed towards the door. "Tell Mother I'm not going to Uncle's house. I won't fake mourning Dromeda's happiness."

"For once in your life, could you try being a better son?" Regulus shot back just as Sirius reached the door.

Sirius froze in his tracks and turned to face him, his eyes burning with frustration.

"I'm not seeking our mother's approval like you, Reg."

Regulus pressed his lips together, his expression hardening.

"If you'd only listen to her…"

"For what? She already has you for that!" Sirius retorted harshly.

Regulus stared at him with a coldness that was unsettling in someone so young.

"You're a lost cause, Sirius."

"Don't blind yourself, brother," Sirius responded, more tired than angry. "You know what our parents think isn't right."

"We're Black. We are the noble and most ancient house of Black. Do you know what that means?" Regulus said, opening his arms and gesturing to the walls of the great family tree. With the wand, he pointed to the burn mark their mother had made. "Andromeda betrayed us. She deserves this. She deserves to be forgotten. She brought it upon herself by marrying someone so beneath her. Don't follow in her footsteps, Sirius. She was a bad influence on you."

Sirius let out a sarcastic laugh, crossing his arms.

"For Merlin's sake, I'm eleven years old, Reg. Are you already worried I'll marry a Muggleborn? Or will the family choose for me?" He smirked mockingly. "If I marry a Veela, would that be a problem? Or would it not matter because they're pretty?"

"I'm being serious!" Regulus frowned, irritated by the teasing. "For once, take things seriously. What's happened is disgraceful! It's a dishonour!"

"No, brother," Sirius said, his smile fading. "Andromeda married someone she loves. There's nothing dishonourable about that."

"It is if you marry a Mudblood!" Regulus shouted, echoing their mother's words.

Sirius clenched his fists, desperate.

"You're just repeating what Mother tells you!" he exclaimed, stepping closer to his brother, his eyes reflecting a mix of anger and sadness. "Don't believe everything she says, Reggie. You don't have to."

Regulus stared at him for a moment longer, his expression unreadable.

"Mother's right. You're a disappointment, Sirius," he said coldly but firmly. "It's a relief you're not going to Black Hollow," he added, brushing past him with a sharp shove to the shoulder.

Sirius was left alone in the room, the weight of his brother's words sinking into his chest. He approached the tapestry, running his fingers over the black mark where Andromeda's name had once been.

"You did the right thing leaving, Dromeda," he murmured softly, his words hanging in the air like a quiet farewell.