The Tragedy of Walburga Black

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖★

           (𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐩 - 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬)

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒 - 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝟗 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

The platform buzzed with the frenetic energy of departure as students hurriedly said their goodbyes amidst the cacophony of voices.

Walburga and Alphard, standing side by side, faced the bustling sea of families, each sharing a silent understanding that their parents had opted not to partake in the farewells.

Walburga, her expression a carefully crafted mask concealing the intricacies of her emotions, cast a sidelong glance at Alphard. Their shared solitude at this moment fostered a unique connection.

He knew that she was all he needed at the moment, and so did she.

"Come on then, let's board," she said while leading the way to the entrance of the train.

As they boarded the train and went into the Slytherin compartment Walburga couldn't help but notice the looks and whispers as they passed the Gryffindor compartment.

'Idiots' she smirked at them.

Once they arrived at the desired compartment, Walburga reached for the door, sliding it open to reveal a space within.

The subdued lighting from the magical lanterns above cast a soft glow on the plush seats, creating an atmosphere of familiarity and solitude.

Settling in she took a deep breath before turning her head to see Alphard still standing by the door. "What- are you waiting for an invitation?" Sarcasm dripped through her voice.

He started to clamp and unclamp his hands. A tall tale sign of him trying to gather the courage to say something.

Walburga observed him with a mix of impatience and curiosity, awaiting whatever revelation or request he was on the verge of making.

"Actually... I was hoping to sit with Ares... maybe..." he looked anywhere but at his sister.

Walburga couldn't help but smirk, her tone dripping with amusement. "You want to sit with Carrow? Go ahead." She waved him off dismissively, feigning indifference to mask the underlying amusement she felt at her brother's discomfort.

Ares Carrow, the youngest member of the Carrow family, appeared to be a delicate and fragile boy, at least from what Walburga had observed.

Alphard had shared with her that Ares Carrow had cried during their first class when they were first years. She found that quite hysterical, to be honest. But he was the first friend that her brother ever had and so, she would accept him.

From what she had seen it appeared that the youngest Carrow was different from his family, she supposed that was why Alphard had taken a liking to him so much.

At least he will never hurt him she thought.

Smiling he thanked her and quickly closed the door leaving Walburga in a rare but very comfortable silence. 'As long as mother or father aren't here I am okay' she repeated the phrase in her head like a mantra.

She was excited to be going back to Hogwarts. She enjoyed it much to the surprise of her fellow Slytherins, she was blessed with the smarts to pass all of her classes so she had a lot of free time; free time that she used to explore the glorious castle.

It was her 5th year. A part of her couldn't believe that the years had gone by so quickly.

Yet the prospect of reuniting with the ancient halls and mysterious corridors excited her.