{12 Grimmauld Place}
{29th June 1991}
{Rigel's POV}
I tugged on my comfortable, dark-green T-shirt, smoothing it over a pair of black jeans as I glanced briefly into the mirror. The clothes were simple, casual, a bit underdressed for a dinner invite, but considering we are going to the Weasleys', it should be fine. I combed my dark hair carefully into place, methodically preparing myself for the evening ahead.
I quietly left my room, footsteps muffled by the plush carpet as I descended the staircase. Avoiding the creaky floorboards was second nature to me, disturbing Sirius's mother's portrait was the last thing I wanted tonight.
I could hear faint sounds drifting as I arrived at the hallway to the kitchen—silver clinking sharply against plates, Kreacher's rasping voice muttering darkly. I paused, my senses sharpening attentively, instantly alert to the simmering tension that I had noticed earlier between Sirius and Kreacher.
"… filthy half-blood, Kreacher scrubs and scrubs but the stain never comes out, no…" the elf hissed softly, voice echoing slightly through the stairwell. Like always, he was a little loopy, his words going from working and cursing, the thoughts that should be normally hidden behind a filter said aloud, "Kreacher cleans and cleans, but nasty little Potter still pollutes Mistress's house—"
I frowned slightly, feeling a sense of irritation rise at Kreacher's spiteful words. At the kitchen doorway, I paused silently, observing the scene. Kreacher was crouched low, vigorously scrubbing the already spotless stone floor, eyes narrowed and filled with loathing. Across the room, Sirius stood rigidly, eyes fixed sharply on Kreacher, lips pressed into a thin line of restrained fury. Harry stood a few feet away, his expression carefully neutral, though Rigel could see a faint shadow behind his calm façade. However, his mana told me that he was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
'Well, psychologically speaking, he's still a lot more mature than canon.'
Kreacher's voice grew louder, punctuated by bitter little chuckles. "Oh, Mistress, Kreacher is ashamed, Kreacher must scrub the filth Potter leaves everywhere he walks, unworthy boy, half-blood disgrace—"
Sirius's voice snapped sharply, patience clearly exhausted. "Kreacher! If I hear another word—"
'Ah, so he's scrubbing the area where Harry stepped, which makes sense.' I thought, though, I would need to put an end to it, considering both Ron and Hermione might come to the house.
Kreacher glanced up briefly, eyes glittering spitefully, but wisely fell silent, returning to his scrubbing with exaggerated vigor.
"Kreacher, you are not allowed to curse about Harry or anyone who sets foot into this house," I said as I stepped into the room, alert and watchful as always. Sirius turned immediately, softening visibly as he saw me, his emotions slowing and growing calmer. Harry glanced toward me, offering a subtle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but my words seemed to have calmed his emotions slightly.
"Ready to go?" Sirius asked, deliberately pushing aside the lingering tension.
"Yes," I replied calmly, pointedly ignoring Kreacher, who now stood frozen, likely trying hard to obey my order, though he could feel the elf's resentful gaze burning into Harry and Sirius.
'I thought he would calm down after I dealt with the locket, but then again I never showed him the broken locket, so to him I just took it away...' I might need to destroy it soon.
Harry nodded quickly. "Let's not keep the Weasleys waiting."
Sirius placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder, gently steering him toward the hallway, away from Kreacher's poisonous muttering. As they moved toward the front door, the oppressive atmosphere gradually lifted, fading behind them.
"We are not taking the floo?" Harry questioned, but he was puzzled.
"No, the Weasleys aren't connected to the floo system," Sirius replied evasively.
'Likely due to a charge that needs to be paid to the Floo Network Authority within the Department of Magical Transportation. With the way they are now, it is tough for the Weasleys to get by.'
The quiet street offered immediate relief as we stepped outside into the cool evening air. Sirius exhaled deeply, tension easing from his shoulders as the door closed firmly behind them. I noticed as Sirius's hand tightened briefly on Harry's shoulder, a silent apology for the unpleasantness they'd left behind.
Sirius managed a strained smile. "Right, hold tight, both of you."
I braced myself instinctively, knowing what was to come. Sirius's other hand grabbed my shoulder firmly, the brief, uncomfortable squeeze of Apparition enveloping me instantly—a moment of suffocating pressure before it vanished, replaced by warm, fragrant air, rich with the scent of flowers and fresh bread.
'Fuck me, that's uncomfortable,' I cursed in my mind. Surely with all this magic, we could have devised a better way to travel.
I opened my eyes, which seemed to have closed instinctively, and twisted my neck to remove the stiffness as I quickly regained my bearings. On the other hand, Harry was struggling; he was bent over and almost dry heaving as he took in large mouthfuls of fresh air. The Burrow loomed ahead, wonderfully crooked and welcoming, golden light spilling generously from its mismatched windows. In stark contrast to Grimmauld Place, it felt alive, full of vibrant energy that I could appreciate.
'Maybe it would be better to move to a Muggle house or something.' I pondered on that idea.
The front door burst open, and Fred and George spilled out eagerly onto the lawn, matching smiles lighting their faces brightly.
"Harry, Padfoot, Rigel!" Fred called out cheerfully. "Thought you'd never make it!"
George clapped me warmly on the shoulder, laughing easily. "Fred's been pacing all afternoon. He's got a new invention he's dying for you to see." He whispered the latter part into my ear, though both Harry and Sirius's mana perked up instantly.
I smiled back warmly, the twins' easy smiles instantly relaxing him. "I'm curious already. Though from what I can tell, I'm not the only one."
Fred grinned wickedly as his eyes briefly travelled between the two of us. "Excellent! We'll show you after dinner, though. Mum's got strict rules about exploding pastries indoors."
Harry laughed softly as we followed them toward the house, and Molly appeared in the doorway, smiling broadly.
"Sirius, Harry, and Rigel—welcome!" Molly greeted them warmly, drawing everyone into a brief, comforting hug. "Come in, dinner's almost ready."
My eyes traced the familiar faces laughing with each other as my mana sense settled on the warmth everyone was excluding, even Percy, who sat aside, was smiling slightly as he talked with Ginny about his latest achievements.
'Yeah, there is nothing quite like the Weasleys...'
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AN: Been a while, was struggling with my relationship IRL. Anyway, broke up with my fiancée, so I guess I have some time on my hands for you guys.
P.S- 50 advanced chapters on P.atreon.