Chapter 384 - Black Family Christmas Soiree (2/2)
”Sister, you'll be kind to your sons every now and then again, won't you?” Alphard suggested.
Walburga rather flustered snapped her fan open again. ”Such inappropriate questions, Alphard! And in public too!”
”I know that this isn't the time nor the place,” Alphard replied. ”But still, you'd never answer my question otherwise. Please promise you'll be kind to them every now and then again sister. I know that you still resent our mother for her kindness, but she loved us. And your children are not to blame, Walburga. Even they deserve a spot of kindness every now and again.”
Walburga sniffs and curtly says, ”I know.”
She paused and glances away in mortification. ”I've been trying. I'll confess, I'm not very good at it. But ever since the Malfoy wedding, the four of us are much closer. Even that foolish eldest son of mine behaved himself over the summer. I think all the fresh air did him and my youngest much good. So much so that Orion and I have been considering purchasing a summer home in the countryside for the boys to enjoy themselves during the summer months.”
”I'm sure the boys will greatly enjoy that Walburga,” Alphard said with a warm smile.
”Are you alright, Alphard?” Walburga asked at seeing the rare spark of joy on her brother's face. ”You seem rather strange tonight.”
”I'll be just fine, sister,” Alphard murmured with that faint smile still on his face.
”Well, I suppose you could have taken a sip of the spiked punch bowl,” Walburga sniffed. ”I wouldn't be surprised to find that you're a bit tossed so to speak.”
”That would be something,” Alphard chuckled out loud earning himself another stare of surprise from Walburga. ”Ah, yes, before I forget,” Alphard said as he reached into his pocket.
Pulling out a small wooden box he says, ”A gift for the boys. They're rare matching communication mirrors. No matter where they are as long as one holds the other, they can see and speak to each other. I had to pay a pretty galleon for these. I didn't have time to send it via owl. I'd you'd be so kind as to send it to them, I'd greatly appreciate it, Walburga.”
”A useful trinket, I suppose,” Walburga stiffly said, hiding her delight at the thoughtful gift. Taking the gift in hand, she says, ”You seem strangely cheery this evening little brother. Nefarious plans to be held afterward? A visit to a well-endowed courtesan, perchance?”
”No such luck,” Alphard wryly said as he glanced down at the time. ”I best be going, now.”
”Take care, it is cold and snowing,” Walburga found herself saying to her own surprise. ”With your illness, it's best you stay warmly wrapped up. We wouldn't want another flare would we now?”
”No, we wouldn't,” Alphard lips twitched with some unknown emotion. ”Goodbye, sister,” he softly said, before turning away.
Walburga found herself clutching the wooden box in her hands as she found herself following her younger brother's slim figure vanishing in the crowd. A dreadful feeling arose in her chest as she stilled the urge to run after him. She called herself, silly and told herself she was just imaging things. But still, she found that she carried that wooden box at her side all night long as if to feel the comfort of her younger brother at her side once more.