Umbras ? Harry Potter

July 22, 1994 • Briarwood Manor

It was nearing dinner time, but her father had not yet returned from work. He was often late, caught up with whatever he does, but tonight was Friday, which he was never late for. Elwyn always cooked their best meals on Friday, as a small nod to the end of the work week.

The aroma of roasted vegetables and savory meat wafted through the dining room. The table was set impeccably, with fine China and gleaming silverware arranged with precision. Candles flickered softly in their holders, melting with the red lights given off from their chandelier.

Ciara sat at the long table, absently twirling her fork between her fingers, her eyes glancing toward the door every few minutes. Her mother came in after getting cleaned from her day in her Conservatory.

"My gosh, I didn't think I would make it down before your father arrived," her mother said to her while she poured herself a glass of wine.

Just as she had finished pouring her glass, they heard a noise come from Alaric's study. He opened the door, a bit of ash still on his shoulder, and told them he would like to change before dinner, and made his way to the master suite.

Elwyn brought out the food while he changed, and the two girls waited at the table, absorbed within their own thoughts. Alaric came out, and Ciara started serving herself to the plates in front of her.

"What kept you?" Seraphine asked her husband with a curious look.

"Busy day," he said while accepting a whiskey brought by Elwyn. "What did you two get up to?"

"I was just reading up on some of the past tasks in the tournament," Ciara said after taking a bite of her potatoes.

"And what did you find?"

"In 1792, one of the tasks involved catching a cockatrice; however, the beast went on a rampage and injured three of the judges," she responded with a small smile.

"Bloody hell!" her mother responded in a shock. "What are they doing out in Europe?"

Ciara shrugged, and went back to her meal. She loved Friday's when she was back here as she always had meals that could compete, or even exceed, the meals that they got at Hogwarts.

Her mother then went on about the plants she took care of today in the Conservatory, and how beautiful some of the weirdest plants were. She loved plants, and whenever she could, she was planting either in their gardens outside or in their Conservatory.

"The vampiric vegetation is looking amazing right now, and once it buds, we can have some brought into the house!" She said talking about plants that had vampire-like teeth, and were quite dangerous to handle and cultivate. "They will look great as small bushes at the front door, or maybe your study!" She said to her husband.

"Oh! That reminds me," her mother said turning to her father. "I need some fanged geraniums from Knockturn, wherever you go again."

"Oh that shouldn't be a problem," he said looking over to Ciara. "I was talking with Lucius today, and we thought that there might not be enough time to do your shopping at Diagon Alley in August, so we could all go tomorrow."

"What?" Ciara said with a disgusted look. "Why do we have to go with them?"

"Because," he said, giving her a stern look. "They are to be apart of the family, and you should start getting used to seeing them!"

Ciara rolled her eyes, and played around with the few pieces of food still on her plate.

This, unfortunately, did not go unnoticed by Alaric. He knew that his daughter was not impressed with the situation they had put her in, but it was her job as their only child, to keep their family alive, even if their name does not. He had planned this, alongside Lucius, in order to get the two more comfortable with one another.