Work Text:
Early May 1967
Audrey was watching was watching her sister-in-law's ball from the balcony. Primrose Greengrass nee Parkinson was determined to show off the beauty of her family to the rest of the Sacred 28. Everything needed to be perfect, from the perfect garden, to the perfect food, to the perfect wardrobe. This plan did not include the young and ill Greengrass heiress. That is why the six-year-old was left alone in the family manor with only her young Pygmy owl for company. She was hidden behind the bloodred rose vines that grew around the walls and fence, but she could hear the laughter, dancing, and other music. Seeing everyone in colorful dresses eating and mingling with each other.
Sighing, Audrey leaves the balcony, walking the empty halls of her home, Iris, her owl, chirping in her arms. As the only daughter of a wealthy family, Audrey wants nothing; anything she could ever want is at her disposal, but because of her... illness , her family tends to hide her away. The young girl is basically an only child, with her older and only half-brother being 40 years her senior. It doesn't help that the only other child in the home is her nephew, who tends to ignore her and will be starting Hogwarts this year. Given her health, her family doesn't even know if she'll get to go to Hogwarts.
She was so lost in thought that she was taken completely by surprise when Iris decided to take off. "Iris!!!!!" Audrey shrieked, chasing the tiny bird. She didn't stop, though; eventually, Audrey got so out of breath that she had to stop running to catch her breath, lest she pass out. Leaning on the wall, her small farm trying to stay upright. Her vision is fuzzy, and a high pitch is ringing in her ears. Past all of that, she can make out a faint, mumbling voice. Turning around, she sees a boy in a tailored suit with black curly hair and grey, stormy eyes. He looked at her with a worried face. He opens his mouth again, but it's as if she's underwater.
There is a POP, and a house is at the girl's side, with a velvet stool for her to sit on. The tiny creature talks to the boy, and once she composes herself, she looks at him again with a small smile.
"A-are you feeling better?" He asks, his voice being small and unsure.
"Yes I am, thaank you." She tells him she is trying to stand up, but her knees are weak. He offers her her hand, and she takes it. Once she's up, she sees Iris resting on the boy's curly hair. "Iris!!!"
"Oh, this little one belongs to you?" He gestures to the tiny bird.
"Yeah, she just flew off." She scoops the bird from his head and nuzzles her in her arms. "She doesn't do that often. I tried running after her, but I got a little tired. I'm Audrey, by the way. Audrey Greengrass." She curtsies the way her tutor taught her to when she introduces herself to proper company.
"I am Regulus Arcturus Black." He gives a small bow.
"Miss, I must insist on taking you to your room. Mimii must also tell her mistress what happened to you."
"You'll only worry Mother Mimii, plus we don't want to ruin Prim's party." The girl tries to calm the elf, who is fussing over the sickly girl.
"She seems to really worry about you. You did seem very tired." Regulus says, looking at her as if she will fall at any moment.
"It's just something that happens sometimes. I'm OK." He looked like he wanted to argue with her but stopped when Lady Greengrass, aka Audreay's mother, came pacing down the hall.
"Audrey, are you OK??!?" the redheaded woman is frantic, kneeling down , placing her hand on her daughter's forehead, and checking her over. "You were supposed to stay in your room. What are you doing out here?"
"I wanted to see the party."
She looks like she wants to say something before noticing Regulus. "And who are you, young man?"
"Regulus Arcturus Black, ma'am."
"Ah your Wulbergas youngest boy. I believe your older brother is making a mess of our library." He flushes at the statement. Lady Greengrass stands up, taking in the sight before her, before coming to a decision. "Alright, if you do not want to stay in your room, why don't the two of you go to the library with the older boy? I'll have Mimii watch over you, and she WILL update me on your health, understand?"
"Yes, mama." "Yes Ma'am"
"I'll be right; I'll check up on you in half an hour." Giving her daughter a final kiss on the cheek, Lady Greengrass leaves the children with the elf to return to her step-daughter-in-laws party. Taking the boy's hand, Audrey leads him down the hall to her family's library, where the two of them and his brother will spend the rest of the evening.