Chapter Text
Lynette Lycoris Black was the third child born to Walburga and Orion Black. The final child to be born with the Black family name directly attached.
Like most children raised in the house of black, Lynette found herself learning at a young age what she should and shouldn’t say, How she should and shouldn’t act.
She learned at a young age that she had not been a planned child, not like Sirius and Regulus. Sirius was the heir, Regulus was the spare. Both had their uses, even if being a spare didn’t sound like a use. Lynette was a child with no real purpose to the black family. They had no set goal in mind for her when she was born. She was just another woman for them to marry off when she was deemed old enough. Just another child they could doll up to keep up the family image.
Despite her seeming lack of purpose, Lynette would not call the first eight years of her life bad in the slightest. Her and her brothers were close knit. Their parents were cruel and demanding, but no matter what was thrown at them, They were still a little team. No matter how ignored Regulus or Lynette felt, Sirius was always there to shower them in attention. If Lynette tripped and broke one of mothers’ precious vases, suddenly it was Sirius who broke it.
As a young child, she never truly realized how much Sirius had protected them. She never really did grasp it, not until he was gone.
Regulus protected them in his own way, always trying to keep them in check lest they incur their mothers wrath. As much as Regulus tried to be prim and proper, he was the one most in tune with his emotions. Afterall, it was Regulus who always ended up knowing when Lynette woke up in tears from a nightmare she had no recollection of. It was Regulus who would sneak in to wipe her cheeks and comb his fingers through her hair until her breaths evened out. It was Regulus who stayed until he was sure she would have no more nightmares that night.
They were her family. More than the simple blood that she shared with her parents. More than the fear and fondness she felt for her cousins. Her brothers were her people. She would do anything for her brothers. They always came first in her mind.
She was eight years old when Sirius departed to the Hogwarts express. She remembers clutching onto his jacket with all of her little might, burrowing her face into his new robes as she tried to stifle her tears. Regulus has stayed back, trying not to seem weak in front of their parents. She knew she would get punished later for staining the noble and most ancient house of Blacks' good name, but she couldn’t find it in herself to care. He had pet her head then, assuring her he would be back before she knew it. She remembers him looking off to Regulus then, bounding up to hug him as well. She remembers how little he resisted, and the sad smile that had been on his face as Sirius boarded the train.
The first year of Sirius being in school had been some of the worst times of her life. Her studies became more intense, she was pressured into practicing her magic more often. It was stressful, and it didn’t get any less so when it was announced that Sirius was put in Gryffindor. Something that hadn’t ever happened to a black, as far as she knew.
Blacks were supposed to be Slytherin. Slytherin was the “superior” house. There was simply nowhere else for a Black to go. And for the most part, there hadn’t been. Every one of her cousins had been in Slytherin, as her parents, aunts and uncles had as well. Sirius being Gryffindor has seemed to shake the whole family. She had heard that their mother even sent him a howler.
Lynette truly didn’t see what was so shocking about the placement. Being quite young, she hadn’t yet learned very much about each Hogwarts house. She knew the basic personality tied to each though, and Gryffindor was the house of the brave. In her mind, there was no one braver than her big brother.
Her mother didn’t seem to agree, often berating Sirius and threatening her other children against his rebellious ways. Lynette could tell that Regulus was left scared and confused. She had been as well.
When Sirius came home for Christmas that year, all of the family could see a change in him. His subtle rebellion from before turned into a loud roar. At first, Lynette had wondered if he had gone loony. There was talk of a madness that plagued some of the black family. When she got to talk to him one on one for the first time in months, she understood.
He told her stories of three boys his age, all that he immediately clicked with. The first friends that he had ever made separate from his family. He told her stories of freedom, of pranks and boyish wonder. He talked about James Potter, A boy who seemed to have what Sirius described as ‘perfect parents’. Someone who he called his other half, like a brother.
(Regulus' face pinched when he said it, but Sirius didn’t notice, too entranced in his own story.)
He told about Remus Lupin, a halfblood boy with a mysterious air to him. Sirius described being drawn in by him from the moment he saw him. He talked about Peter Pettigrew, a shy but friendly boy who seemed to have a family much like their own.
She understood then. It sounded like a fantasy, but she had no doubt that he was telling her the truth. There was no way he would be acting this way if they hadn’t. If people at Hogwarts were that kind, she thinks that she would rebel against the family too.
Just because she understood, it didn’t stop how dangerous his behavior was. He went from only talking back to defend himself and them to actively trying to pick a fight with their parents. This led to the first time her parents had used crucio.
Up to that point in her life, she had never seen anything so gruesome. So soul crushing. It was the first time she felt truly hopeless. The first time she truly hated her parents.
When Sirius left again for Hogwarts, there was a much larger pit in her stomach. She still hoped. She hoped that his friends would help heal him in a way she couldn’t.
That summer her eldest brother was much more reserved towards her parents than he had been during the break. It almost seemed as if he had gone back to the Sirius before Hogwarts. Almost. There was a fire in his eyes which had not existed before he had met his friends.
The summer flies by, and before she could blink, Regulus’ first year arrives. This departure is different from Sirius’ first. There were no tight hugs or whispered words. No tears. Just a simple nod with a fearful look attached. She could not blame him. He was surely terrified of the malice that Sirius had faced when being placed in a house that was not Slytherin. Terrified of how much she would surely be breathing down his neck in order to keep him from the path Sirius went down.
When her mother and father get the letter from Narcissa stating that Regulus had been placed in Slytherin, Lynette could not help but feel relief. It doesn’t stop her from wondering how much his fear of failure had influenced his placement.
Lynette waited two years before she could join her brothers in Hogwarts, and somehow those two years had seemed to change the siblings dynamic entirely. A once careful but attentive and kind Regulus had turned into a boy that would rarely come out of his room or the library. The times he did come out, she often found that he could only scold her and Sirius.
(Not that he and Sirius interacted much at all, after Regulus’ first year they seemed to be content on stepping around each other whenever they could. It was perhaps the thing that could hurt Lynette the most.)
Sirius had also ended up distancing himself, though not as directly as Regulus. He often spent his time writing letters to his friends that would never be sent. Every summer seemed to be a waiting game for him, waiting for the time where he could run on the train and escape from being ‘heir Black’.
The two years were long and full of stress and anguish, but eventually she ended up on the night before her departure from Grimmauld. She sat on the floor of her bedroom, something that would have surely sent her mother into a tizzy. She sat against the side of her bed, messing with the rug to keep her hand busy.
There were things that she would miss from the house, though she could count them on one hand. Actually, she could count them on one finger. Kreacher had been one of the things she held most dearly in the house. His presence always brought back memories that she could no longer make a reality.
She felt the urge to call him then, and when she did she heard the tell-tale pop that came with elf apparition. He bowed to her, not questioning her seat on the floor.
“Is young mistress Lynette needing something of Kreacher?”
She smiles at the elf fondly. “I just wanted to say goodbye to you before I leave tomorrow. I doubt there will be much time for us to talk in the morning.”
Kreacher nods to her, responding immediately. “Kreacher hopes the young mistress has a lovely time at Hogwarts.”
Her smile grows, taking up her face now. “Thank you Kreacher. I’ll truly miss your company.”
Kreacher seems at a loss for words, until he rushes out: “Kreacher is flattered by the young mistress. Kreacher will miss the young mistress’ as well.”
She moves forward on her knees then, covering Kreacher's hands with her own. “I owe you so much, Kreacher. These past few years you have kept me from being lonely.”
Kreacher is quick to shut down her thanks. “Young mistress must not be thanking Kreacher. It is Kreacher's job to serve the most noble and ancient house of black.”
She expected the response, and nodded. “Yes, yes. I will still continue to be grateful to you, Kreacher.” She lets go of the elf's hands then, eyes feeling wet.
Kreacher seems to notice her emotional state, because he tries to move on from the exchange as she removes her hands from his. “Would young mistress Lynette like some tea? Perhaps a snack of some kind? The lord and lady of the house have not forbade it.”
Lynette leaned back, a smile still visible, though shaky. “I am not in need of anything at the moment, Kreacher. I hope to see you again tomorrow.”
Kreacher nods along quickly. “Yes, of course. Kreacher will be there to help the young mistress with her luggage.”
Before Kreacher could leave, Her door opened with a light creak. Fear did not grip her, for she knew if it was her mother or father that the door would open with a bang.
Just as she expected, she looked up to Regulus gently shutting the door behind him. When he turned around, his face was pinched in worry.
Regulus addressed Kreacher first. “I thought you would be here, Kreacher. If it is alright with you, I would like to speak to my sister alone.”
Kreacher was quick to obey Regulus like usual. Muttering a quick “Yes, Kreacher bes going now.” With a bow, he disappears with a crack.
Regulus is quick to scold her. “Why are you sitting on the floor like some commoner?”
She does not feel any annoyance at his scolding. She’s just happy that he’s talking to her at all. “It’s comfortable down here” She answers with a smile.
Regulus huffs in what could possibly be fondness, before his expression becomes grave once again. “Tomorrow is your sorting.”
She starts playing with the carpet again, avoiding his eyes. She hums to show she heard him.
“You remember what happened when Sirius got sorted, do you not? You need to be careful. It would be safest for you to be placed in Slytherin, like the rest of the family.”
She grimaced, Finally meeting his eyes once again. “Tell me brother, do you really think I will be put in Slytherin? Do you think that is the house that best suits me?”
His expression grows dire, showing that she wasn’t getting something he was trying to convey. “It doesn’t matter. The hat can be persuaded, it takes your input when it’s deciding your placement. I would know. It would be safest for you to try to show traits of Slytherin. It’s what mother and father would want from you.”
Her fist clenches against the fabric of the carpet. “Reggie, I've spent my whole life trying to please mother and father. What if I take one time to make myself happy instead?” Silence, and then hurried footsteps. Suddenly, Regulus was crouching right in front of her, his face grave and pale.
“I wish it were that simple, truly I do.” He was whispering now “But when you get home, there’s no telling what you’ll face. Sirius is different, he’s the heir. And he still never gets a break when he’s here. How do you think it would be for you? Sirius likes to fight, but you don’t, Lynni.”
He’s right. She knew that he was, but she still stubbornly held on to the dreams of doing and Being what she wanted.
He started fidgeting with his hands. “And, y’know, Slytherin really isn't bad. I’ve met plenty of nice people. And I'm there, too.”
She still didn’t like the idea of being forced to be where her parents wanted, but she had to admit that she really wouldn’t be upset if she got put in Slytherin. If she could choose, she would want to be in a house with Sirius or Regulus.
She suddenly pushed forward, hugging Regulus before he could protest or be awkward about it.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Reg.” She pulls back. “I’m eleven now! I can take care of myself, I promise.”
Regulus did not seem to agree, but seemed to drift into some sort of acceptance. “You could sit with me on the train tomorrow if you wanted. I’ll make sure Barty and Evan don’t pick on you.”
She smiled. “I might.” and with that he leaves, patting her lightly on her head before he goes. While her eyes grew heavy in bed, she thought about how Regulus had called her Lynni again for the first time since he started hogwarts. The only person to call her by her nickname lately was Sirius. She couldn’t help but feel warm when he said it.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was so early that the sun had still not risen, when Sirius snuck into her room. She was awake, of course, having gotten up extra early to double check that she had everything packed.
Sirius had a grin on his face; one she had only seen the days he departed to Hogwarts. He bounded up to her, talking to her animatedly. “Are you excited Linny? What house do you think you’ll be in? I think you’re a Gryffindor for sure! Are you going to sit with me on the train? I’ve written to my friends about you, they want to meet you!”
She took all of it in for a second, before responding. “I’m not sure what house I'll be in, Siri. I think I'll try to sit with some kids my age, I hope to be able to make some friends.”
He pouts, but still seems in high spirits when he responds. “Well, you should at least come by our cubby!” He gives her a softer look, before adding. “I can’t believe you’re going to Hogwarts now, Lynni.” his eyes seem to go misty, before patting her on the back. “You know you can come to me if you ever need anything, right?”
She smiles. “I know.”
A little later after all of her shopping for supplies was completed, she arrived at Ollivanders to get her wand. The one that ended up picking her was alder wood with Dragon heartstring as its core. He said it was quite the powerful wand, and that he found it curious that it chose her. He had made her a bit nervous, eyes watching her like he could see through her– right to her soul.
The wand itself was thin and nice to hold, and she already felt quite connected to it
When they arrived at the station, Regulus said his goodbyes to their parents before making his way onto the train. She sees Sirius run up to his friends, excited and boyish. He does not spare a goodbye for their parents.
Lynette turns back, on edge as both of their parents' eyes were on her- a rare occurrence.
“I trust you know how to behave yourself, Lynette.” This was a layered statement, and Lynette answered the only way she knew how, “Yes, mother.”
Her mother’s lips pursed, watching her with calculating eyes. Her father speaks. “Do not bring shame to the family, girl. Only ally yourself with the ones that are pure or blood.”
Ah, the classic ‘only be friendly with purebloods’ talk. She never really believed pure bloods were superior in any degree, and if she had any doubts Sirius quickly quelled them after his first year. He knew muggle-borns (not mudbloods, Sirius said that was offensive), and he said they were still very respectable witches and wizards. She always thought it was important to be kind to people that are kind to you. She decided that was how she was going to behave herself at Hogwarts.
Plus, she wanted friends– not allies. Sirius said having friends was much more fun.
After her parents excused her, she makes her way onto the train. She knew Sirius had yet to get on, and she was sure Regulus had already found his friends and taken a compartment. This gave her an opportunity to find a compartment with someone she had never met, someone that would hopefully be a friend.
She had never really had friends before besides her brothers. She had been to parties and balls where other children that were a part of the sacred 28 families were, but she always stuck to one of her brothers during those kinds of events. Suffice to say, she had never had a friend that was her age.
She wiped her clammy hands on her new robes as she walked, trying to quell her nerves. She stood in front of one compartment, looking through the window to see a boy. He looked about her age, and he wasn’t wearing a specific colored tie yet.
She knocked on the compartment sliding door, opening it to find him staring at her with an unreadable expression. He had mousy brown hair, brown eyes that displayed intelligence. Freckles covered his cheeks. He was plain, all things considered. He held a book that was so large that she could have seen it at the back of the library at grimmauld place.
“Hello. Would you mind if I sat in this compartment as well?” She found herself not actually too scared of rejection. If he said no, she would just move on and try again somewhere else.
He did not reject her, only studying her before mumbling. “I suppose.”
She sat across from him. He looked back down at his book, but didn’t actually seem to be reading at all. She tried making conversation, quickly finding that he was just a bit awkward.
“My name is Lynette Black. What’s your name?”
He seemed a bit surprised by her name, taking a bit to respond. “Phil, Phil Pettigrew.”
Her eyebrows rose without her meaning them too, not being able to stop herself before asking: “Are you perhaps related to Peter Pettigrew, then?”
He didn’t seem to be happy with the correlation, but responded anyway. “He’s my brother.”
She smiles. “Our brothers are friends, Have you heard about Sirius?”
He kept his face blank as he replied. “Somewhat.”
She changed the topic, noticing that he wasn’t too fond of talking about his brother for whatever reason.
She asked what house he thought he would be in, to which he replied Slytherin or Ravenclaw. When he parrots back the question, she doesn’t have a guess.
Time passes as they make idle conversation. She knew few things about the Pettigrew's’, as they were not a pureblood family. She knew that Peter Pettigrew was a half-blood, so she assumed Phil was as well. She quickly tried to banish the thoughts of how her parents would react from her mind.
She knew less about Peter than she did of James and Remus. He knew he was a bit shy, and that he was quite kind, if a bit cowardly. She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to make Phil avoid even talking about him. In a way, it reminded her of Sirius and Regulus. That thought puts a damper on her mood.
They continued to talk when the trolley came along, and she bought them both one of everything. He seemed in shock at the sheer amount of money she seemed to have, which she finds quite silly.
Eventually, with their bellies full conversations finished, Lynette decides it would be time to go see Sirius and his friends. She doesn’t have time to go visit Regulus as well, but she’s sure that he would understand.
She asked Phil if he wanted to come with her, which was a resounding no. She said that she would come back before they arrived at Hogwarts, which he seemed almost happy about.
It wasn’t hard to find Sirius and his group, they were quite loud and she recognized her brother’s voice as the loudest of them all.
She knocks lightly before opening the compartment. There she laid eyes on the boys she had been told stories about since she was nine years old. She’s able to quickly discern each of them. James was the boy with the messy black hair and round glasses. Remus was the boy with the facial scars and deep eyes. Peter was the round-figured one with the mouse-like face.
Sirius jumps up when he notices her presence. “Lynni! I was wondering when you’d show. Fellas, this is my baby sister.” He clears his throat, putting on a posh accent that reminded her of how father spoke. “Lynette Lycoris Black, first of her name.” He pats her back, gesturing to the other boys in the compartment. “I’m sure to recognize the boys, but I'll let them introduce themselves anyway.” He grins, looking so lively compared to how he had been at Grimmauld.
This is when it truly dawned on her, that these boys were who he was happiest with. He reveled in the freedom that Hogwarts gave him from his parents. She watched as each of the boys introduced themselves, all friendly and relaxed. These were Sirius’s people. She added them to the list of people she would try to protect, for Sirius’s sake.
James Potter was a cocky, but kind boy. He was full of energy and seemed to thrive off of Sirius’s banter. Remus was quiet most of the time, joining in conversation to throw a jab or two. She had never seen a fun argument before, but she guessed there was a first time for everything. Peter was dragged into it, forced to pick a side which either way would bite him.
Lynette is surprised when it’s Peter that starts a conversation with her next. “What house would you like to be in, Lynette?”
The cubby goes quiet, waiting for her response. She finds that she likes this question much more than the question of what house she thinks she’d be in. This one, she gets to show her true opinion on the matter.
“I think each house has good qualities. If I had to pick, I guess Gryffindor or Slytherin.”
She notices James’ grimace when she mentions Slytherin, and files it away for later. Sirius also makes a face, but is quick to add. “Yeah, but that’s just because of me and Reggie, right?” She shrugs, so what if it was? “Well, I think you’ll definitely be a Gryffindor. You're plenty brave, and you’ve got a strong spirit.”
She smiles, quick to respond. “You think too much of me, brother.”
He is quick to scold her. “Nonsense! Everything I say is true, so there’s no need to even doubt it. Isn’t that right, moony?” He leans over and hooks his arm over Remus’s shoulders.
The brown haired boy rolls his eyes in faux exasperation. “Hardly.”
Before the boys can tussle, she stands; deciding it was time to head back to Phil before the train stops.
Sirius looks up at her in confusion before she clarifies. “I’m heading back to my friend so we can be with each other when we go to the boats.”
Sirius seems delighted, quick to ask a plethora of questions. She shoots them all down with a simple: “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon.”
His expression, for whatever reason, seems to sour. she hears James chuckling as she leaves. Saying something about it being ridiculous for him to not expect her to make friends with boys.
When they arrive, she and Phil are quickly escorted to the boats by a half-breed giant. He says his name is Hagrid, and Lynette ends up finding him quite charming.
She didn’t like being on the boats very much, she was always quite afraid of large bodies of water. She thought that maybe Phil sensed this, because he tried to fill the silence with meaningless chatter.
Walking into Hogwarts was everything she had hoped it would be. Being a child in one of the richest wizarding families, she found herself seeing grand things quite often. Nothing she had ever seen had compared to Hogwarts though, it was truly magnificent.
The long dining tables filled with steaming piles of flavorful and nutritious foods, a roof that seemed to show a twinkling night sky.
It was the most dazzling thing she had ever seen. So dazzling that Phil had to drag her so she could keep up with the rest of the first years.
They met Professor McGonagall at the front, a woman who Sirius had called ‘Minnie’. The woman seemed strict natured, but kind. She led them the rest of the way into the dining hall, where the sorting hat was placed on a pillar next to a chair.
She knew she would be one of the first to be sorted, so she quickly scanned the tables for her brothers. She locates Sirius first, he and his gaggle of trouble makers seemed to be the loudest of things in the entire hall.
Sirius meets her eyes, sending her a blinding smile, followed by a thumbs up. He looked like he had nothing to worry about, she wondered how fast his smile would fall if she were to be put in Slytherin.
She looks for Regulus next, who is a lot harder to find at the Slytherin table. Next to a pale blond boy wrestling with a brown fluffy haired one, is where she spots Regulus. He was already looking at her, though unlike Sirius his eyes were filled with worry. She tried to give him a reassuring smile, which he nodded at. Even after he looked away as the ceremony began, his eyes still stuck to her.
The headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, came up to the stand. Mother had talked in length about the disgraceful half-blood headmaster. The man had an aura of such tranquility and kindness that it made her a little uneasy.
When the speech was over, Lynette found that she had heard very little. She hoped it wasn’t too important. In all honesty, she had wanted to just get the sorting over with.
Her wish was granted fast, as she was the third name to be called. She had to pull out all of the training to keep her emotions in check in order to keep a blank face as she walked up to the chair.
She tried not to jump as she felt the hat be placed on her head. The voice had started speaking to her immediately.
Ah, another black I see. Hmm, I can tell you have quite the resolve. What is your preference for house, child?
I would prefer Gryffindor or Slytherin. That is where my brothers are.
I see, well you do have bravery, I’ll say that much. You do have it in you to be cunning as well. You also have brains, though I would not say you are suited for Ravenclaw.
Absolutely not.
It seems you care quite a bit for your brothers. So much so that you think about them even for decisions that should be yours alone.
I would do anything for my brothers.
Do you truly mean anything?
Yes.
No hesitation, how very interesting. Such loyalty, patience and a true sense for justice. it would be a shame if I put you anywhere other than…
“HUFFLEPUFF!”