"Not all family is blood and
not all blood is family."

Kira finished packing her bags and stood up with a huff. Today, she would be going with the Black's to the Malfoy Manor.

To say she was nervous, would be an understatement. She knew her invitation was her father's doing and she didn't know if she was ready to face him.

A knock on the door rang through the room. "Come in," Kira said.

The door opened and Regulus walked in. "We're leaving," He said with a small smile. "Have you got everything?"

"Yes," She confirmed. Regulus nodded and picked up her trunk, bringing it downstairs for her.

The two headed downstairs and together, with Mr and Mrs Black they apparated to Malfoy Manor.

Malfoy Manor stood tall in front of them. The dreary weather fit well with the dark house. The wind ruffled their hair and their clothes.

Kira hated this house. She had been to this Manor a few times with her family and she hated it. The house was cold and silent, despite the soft music and chatter that sounded around the house.

The eerie atmosphere of the house gave Kira chills.

The four were led to their respective rooms where they would be staying for the next two nights, before the kids would be leaving to Hogwarts on the third morning.

Kira knew she would be seeing her father once again. She was not ready to face him but she knew she had to. She could not abandon her brother.

Narcissa Malfoy walked upstairs to call their guest for dinner. The young woman informed her aunt and uncle first, then her cousin. The last was Kira Rose, a Ravenclaw she knew through the girl's father.

She knocked on the door and waited for Kira to answer.

Kira heard a knock and got up from the bed she sat on while she read. She opened the door to see Narcissa.

She smiled, "Dinner is to be served soon."

Kira nodded and the two headed downstairs together, talking about Hogwarts.

On the way to the dining area, they passed two doors where hushed voices could be heard. Kira gazed at the door a little longer.

Narcissa noticed her gaze and answered her unasked question, "They're having a meeting."

Kira knew exactly who "they" were. Death Eaters. Perhaps her father too. She sucked in a breath and spoke, "Will they be dining with us?"

Narcissa shook her head. "They will be eating after us," she explained.

Kira nodded, feeling a little better now, knowing she wouldn't have to face any Death Eaters.

The Malfoys and The Blacks ate dinner together. Most of the conversation was between Mr Malfoy, Mr Black, and Lucius Malfoy.

Kira was happy to see Regulus was at dinner, meaning he wasn't at the meeting. Which meant he can't be a Death Eater.

Kira wanted to believe that. She ignored the fact that Lucius was also at dinner, and she knew he had to be a Death Eater. She didn't want to believe any of it though. So she ignored everything that told her her conclusion is wrong.

Regulus Black is not a Death Eater.

The group finished their dinner. Kira was ready to go to her room and read for the rest of the night, but it appeared her hosts had different ideas.

Lucius looked at her and said, "Come with us," before turning around and walking into another room off to the left.

She looked around the room for reassurance. Narcissa gave her a soft smile and nodded for her to follow. Kira sighed and followed her into the room.

Kira's eyes darted around the room as soon as they entered. The room was rather average in size, neither small nor larger. It had two bookshelves on the left and right walls and a fireplace on the wall beside the door. The back wall held an artwork, a family portrait. In front of the artwork was a couch and two armchairs.

And Charles.

Kira froze as her gaze settled upon the little boy. His eyes lit up as he ran towards his sister and gripped her around her legs in a large hug.

Kira reacted quickly and hugged back. Kneeling down to his height she spoke to him.

"Charlie," she whispered, "are you okay? Where's Father?"

Charles nodded and answered, "I don't know. Where's mum? And Irene? And Tommy?" He asked.

His blissful ignorance made Kira want to cry. The poor boy didn't even know their mother was dead. She couldn't tell him now, she didn't want to. Not when he was so fragile.

"Mum's not here, Charlie, it's just me," she mumbled as she ran her hands up and down his arms in an attempt to comfort him.

During their reunion, Kira hadn't noticed Regulus follow them in. He stood there in silence, not wanting to interrupt them. He's never seen her like this, so caring, so emotional.

Sure, he's seen her laugh and smile and even cry. Yet, he's never seen her so utterly vulnerable, even when she shared a secret so deep and important to her.

He wanted to reach down and hug her, do anything really. But he stood there, in silence, knowing he couldn't show an ounce of emotion around his family.

The sound of the door creaking open alerted Kira and she turned around to see who had entered.

David Rose stood before Kira with a grin on his face.

"Kira!" He greeted her. "So good to see you."

"What do you want?" She asked, her body tense as she glared at him.

"That's no way to greet your father, is it?" He questioned, the evil grin never leaving his face.

Kira glanced towards Charles and made sure he was standing behind her.

David smirked, "Ah, he's growing up so fast, isn't he?"

"I'm taking him back to Irene."

"I'm his legal guardian."

She glared at him and clenched her fist. "I'm assuming you were the one who invited me here?"

"You assume correctly," he grinned. There was something so unsettling about the way he smiled and Kira hated it.

"Why?" She asked.

"I want you to join me, Kira," he said.

"No." She stated.

"Kira," he said in a sing-song voice, "This is who you're meant to be. It's a good cause, a great cause. Join me, become a death eater."

"No, I will not join you."

The grin was wiped from David's face and replaced with a look of anger. He clenched his jaw and took out his wand. "Then I guess little Charlie will."

Kira drew her wand and aimed it at her father, pushing her brother further behind her.

Narcissa rushed towards the young boy and pulled him away from the pair, already sensing a duel was to commence.

David shot a spell towards her and she cast a silent shield charm.

David clenched his jaw and shot another spell in her direction. Kira couldn't identify the spell to find a counter first so she dodged it instead. The vase behind her melted from the impact of the spell.

Kira's eyes widened at the sight. Her father used dark magic.

She shot another spell towards him which he dodged. In his moment of distraction she disarmed him.

"I'm proud Kira. Well done," he grinned.

"Piss off," she sneered.

He glared at her and turned to leave. "Charles stays here," he said before leaving.

She stood in silence.

Lucius followed after him and left the room.

Narcissa walked towards Kira and put a hand on her shoulder. "Charles is well-looked after here. I've been looking after him and keeping him well away from the...other stuff," she whispered.

Kira nodded, "Keep him safe for me, please?"

Narcissa nodded and led Charles by the hand out of the room.

Kira and Regulus were the only two remaining in the room.

Regulus had been frozen stiff since he saw the vase melt from the dark spell Kira's father used. He could not stop thinking about what would have happened if it had hit her.

Regulus stepped towards her, "Are you okay?"

Kira let out a humorless chuckle, "No."

"Will you be okay?"

"Yeah, I just need to be alone." She walked out the room.

Regulus watched her leave but made no move to follow her. He understood she needed time to comprehend what happened. He didn't even understand the full story.

So, he watched her leave despite the burning need to follow her and do something, anything to help her.

_________________________________________
Heyy so I'm sort of back??

Well here's a chapter. I have no clue when the next chapter will be out, but it may or may not be soon?

I'm doing better and hopefully I can get back into writing regularly.

Hope you enjoy! Vote and comment! <3

– walkingmasterpiece xx